Mihin Lanka soars

The Mihin Lanka Airline which had been the butt end of much Opposition and media criticism in the past, has shown very satisfactory progress during the January-July period this year and it can be transformed into a profitable and a much service-oriented venture soon if its staff persisted with their dedication and efficiency in work, said Ports, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

Addressing a progress review meeting of the Ports and Aviation Ministry at the Ministry Office, Minister Rajapaksa said people criticised Mihin Lanka without a proper knowledge about its true objectives.

Mihin Lanka’s major objective was to serve the ordinary public including teachers, carpenters and Sri Lankan expatriate workers at affordable rates.

Air travel which was restricted to foreigners and the local rich people earlier had been made early accessible to the ordinary public too with the setting up of the airline, he said.

Nearly 30,000 people had travelled in Mihin Lanka to Dubai since January this year while another 20,000 have travelled to Trichy. From July, a large number of people have also travelled by Mihin from July this year. Generally speaking the number of passengers had increased from 30 to 82 percent, he said.

The Minister said his Ministry would develop Mihin Lanka further by purchasing new aircraft and increasing efficiency.