Former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) Board member Sonal Fernando has said there is no immediate need to modernise or expand Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, claiming its existing facilities could meet requirements for another 25 years.
Speaking at a press conference on 9 September, Mr. Fernando also stated that commissions paid to aircraft buyers were included in the purchase price and that refusing such commissions could result in the cancellation of an aircraft transaction. He said aircraft could be purchased directly from manufacturers, through authorised representatives or via brokers, adding that broker- or representative-based transactions could sometimes be more financially advantageous.
Describing the international aircraft market as a “mafia”, Mr. Fernando questioned how aircraft purchases were negotiated and conducted. He also criticised plans by SriLankan Airlines to acquire Airbus A350 aircraft, calling the proposed purchase a “foolish decision”.
He further said an A350 procurement deal had been prepared during his tenure on the AASL Board but was later cancelled by the previous government.
