Colombo, Nov 1 (newsin.asia) – The Sri Lankan government, on Wednesday said that a Qatari delegation who was in the island earlier this week had held talks with debt ridden Sri Lankan Airlines after President Maithripala Sirisena had asked Qatar to partner with the national carrier.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Rajitha Senaratne said that the delegation was expected to study the proposals by Sri Lankan Airlines and would respond later this month.
Sirisena who recently visited Qatar on a two day state visit had in his discussions with the Emir of Qatar requested the Qatari government to enter into a partnership with the national carrier.
Sri Lankan Airlines which at one point had partnered with Emirates, is now running at a loss prompting Sirisena’s government to seek for an international investor.
Sri Lanka’s weekly Sunday Times recently reported that the Sri Lankan government has approved a loan of US 86 million dollars to be paid to SriLankan Airlines as it struggles to find a new owner.
The cash, provided by the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank, will keep the airline going while the Board attempts to turn it around.
