Mihin Lanka Board of Directors appointed without Gov.'s authority

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Shocking revelations were made at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka Private Limited on Monday (June 11th). According to the documents provided to the Department of Registrar of Companies for Mihin Lanka Private Limited the 1st Board of Directors should have been appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Documents also note that the board of directors should be not less than 05 and not more than 07. However, there were only 04 individuals on the 1st board of directors of Mihin Lanka. The Commission today observed that the Government of Sri Lanka had not given any authority to appoint the 1st Board of Directors to Mihin Lanka Private Limited. In addition, it was revealed that Mihin Lanka Private Limited delayed submitting their annual returns. Usually a company is fined for such delays, however, there was no documentation to claim they were even fined at the time. The Investment Director at the Board of Investments said the application for the launch of Mihin Lanka was made by then Coordination Secretary to Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sajin De Vaas Gunawardena. He said in the draft articles of association the airline is named Air Sri Lanka Private Limited. However, documents later submitted to them bear the name Mihin Lanka Private Limited. It was also revealed that the application was submitted on the 12th of October 2006 and approval was granted the very next day as it was considered a government top priority project. It came to light Mihin Lanka Private Limited had breached certain agreements with the BOI for concessions and enjoyed these concessions until 2012 when the Budget removed all duties imposed on SriLankan Airlines , SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka Private Limited. Mihin Lanka Private Limited had enjoyed duty-free charges in importing alchol, Jewellery and even perfumes in addition to importing ground handling equipment.