The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to terminate the current sale process of SriLankan Airlines, according to the State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit. The government plans to adopt an alternative strategy, which will be determined soon, to divest the airline based on a new framework approved by the Cabinet.
Initially, six parties responded to the call for expressions of interest, but none were pre-qualified. Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva expressed a preference for a Sri Lankan entrepreneur or consortium to invest in the airline, but firm interest was lacking.
The minister emphasized the need for potential investors to have a strong balance sheet and relevant expertise, as the employment of 6,000 people is at stake.