Srilanka, Feb. 26 -- Paid US Pounds 900,000 monthly for three aircraft that remains unutilised : Budget allocates Rs. 20 Bn for repayment of interest on local and foreign loans:

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said in Parliament yesterday that SriLankan Airlines has been paying US$ 900,000 per month in installments for three aircraft that have remained unutilized for several years. Responding to a question by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Rohana Bandara, Dr.Suriyapperuma stated that, as of today, SriLankan Airlines owns 22 aircraft, three of which have remained unutilised for many years.

He also disclosed that SriLankan Airlines employs 3,194 staff members in its main airline operations, while an additional 2...