Ravi Karunanayake has questioned how bonuses were paid to employees of SriLankan Airlines despite the airline reportedly recording losses in recent financial years.
Speaking in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the former United National Party Deputy Leader pointed out that although SriLankan Airlines had reported profits during the 2022–2023 financial year, the company had subsequently recorded losses in 2024 and 2025.
According to Karunanayake:
“Paying bonuses to companies that report losses is prohibited.”
The MP questioned:
- How bonus payments had been approved under such financial conditions
- Whether proper procedures had been followed
- The accountability of those responsible for the decision
He further noted that SriLankan Airlines remains under discussion within the framework of Sri Lanka’s economic reform program with the International Monetary Fund.
Karunanayake also stressed the need to:
- Commercialize and restructure the airline
- Improve financial discipline within state-owned enterprises
The MP argued that the ruling party must explain how such actions could occur within a major state-linked institution that is operating at a loss.
The issue comes amid broader public debate in Sri Lanka regarding:
- State enterprise reform
- Public sector accountability
- Fiscal discipline
- Government expenditure during economic recovery efforts
