Sri Lanka, July 15 -- Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe was released on bail Monday after being charged with abusing his position and misusing public funds while heading the national carrier.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga ordered his release on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and three sureties of Rs. 5 million each. Wickramasinghe appeared before court following allegations that he had repeatedly assigned a female flight attendant to favored international routes and approved extra allowances for her, in apparent violation of airline policy.

Prosecutors told the court that Wickramasinghe allegedly steered airline operations to serve personal interests, including altering flight schedules and rou...