Six airlines, including national carrier SriLankan Airlines, have defaulted a total of Rs. 27.6 billion in embarkation levies payable to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed in Parliament today.
Responding to a query from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kings Nelson, the Deputy Minister stated that SriLankan Airlines alone accounts for Rs. 24.6 billion of the unpaid amount, nearly 90% of the total default.
According to the Deputy Minister, the other defaulting airlines and their respective dues are:
- AirAsia Berhad – Rs. 88 million
- Aeroflot Russia – Rs. 508 million
- Air India – Rs. 57 million
- Thai Air Asia – Rs. 221 million
- Fits Aviation – Rs. 2,126 million
Kodithuwakku said the Civil Aviation Authority has initiated recovery efforts by notifying the airlines both via email and in writing.
In some cases, the CAA has resorted to liquidating bank guarantees provided by the airlines to recover partial payments.
However, he acknowledged a critical legal gap, stating that there are currently no provisions under existing law that allow the CAA to enforce full recovery of the dues.
The Deputy Minister said the government is now preparing to present a Cabinet paper seeking approval to pursue legal action against the airlines in question.
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