In what would mark a first in Sri Lanka’s aviation history, the Naional People’s Power (NPP) government is reportedly considering the appointment of a foreign national, aviation veteran Peter Hill, as the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines.
The consideration comes as the government faces mounting difficulties in filling the crucial roles of both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the national carrier. Initial reports indicated that the current Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, Buddhika Hewawasam, might assume dual responsibilities by heading the airline as well. However, authorities have recently reconsidered this approach. With ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threatening to disrupt global travel, the government has determined it is vital for Hewawasam to remain exclusively focused on steering the country’s tourism sector through these challenging times.