Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka has said that the removal of Harsha Abeywickrama from the post of Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) was carried out as part of necessary administrative and structural changes within the institution.
The Minister rejected claims circulating on social media, stating that reports linking the removal to a dispute over a letter issued to the President of the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, are false.
According to social media reports, Abeywickrama was removed following a disagreement over the extension of a special permit allowing entry to the airport terminal. However, in a statement issued yesterday (30), the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation clarified that, acting on the Minister’s instructions, the former Chairman had issued an authorization letter with appropriate conditions in response to a request made by Ven. Upatissa Thero.
The Ministry stressed that there was no conflict between the Minister and the former Chairman over the matter and confirmed that the letter was not connected to Abeywickrama’s removal.
Commenting further, Minister Karunathilaka said that while various discussions had arisen in public, the permit issued to Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero had no bearing on the decision. He explained that the issue was resolved in the first week of January after the Airport Authority provided an explanation, which he accepted, and subsequently issued the authorization as requested.
The Minister added that the need for administrative changes arose thereafter and that during discussions held on January 21, he had indicated the necessity for a change in administration, following which action was taken to remove the AASL Chairman from office.
