Minister of Civil Aviation, Vijitha Herath engaged in an inspection tour of the Katunayake Airport premises on Sunday (10 Nov) during which he addressed a range of issues affecting employees and services.
According to a Civil Aviation Ministry statement, Minister Herath was accompanied by Airport and Aviation Services Chairman Harsha D. Abeywickrama and Deputy Chairman Cyril Wannigama.
During the tour, the minister engaged with workers across various departments, addressing their concerns and committing to resolutions in collaboration with airport authorities.
The minister made the following three key decisions to improve operational efficiency and employee welfare at the airport.
1. Retention of Employee Allowances:
Following complaints from airport employees about the discontinuation of their Rs. 50,000 allowance provided in 2023, Minister Herath directed the chairman to restore the allowance for 2024, noting that recovering funds from employees would be unethical.
2. Enhanced Communication on Flight Delays:
Due to rising complaints regarding SriLankan Airlines delays, the minister instructed SriLankan Airlines and airport management to establish a dedicated unit responsible for informing passengers about flight delays in real-time. This unit is to operate 24/7 to ensure passengers are promptly updated, minimizing disruptions.
3. Uniform Provisions for Security Staff:
Minister Herath also addressed issues related to the uniforms provided to around 150 security staff hired in January 2024, which were found to be of inferior in quality. He ordered that standard materials be used for uniforms moving forward and that each officer be provided with three sets for regular use. (Newswire)