Ministry explains removal of Harsha Abeywickrama from post

2026-01-30 - 16:19

The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has issued a statement in response to reports regarding the removal of Mr Harsha Abeywickrama, former Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, from his position. According to the statement, the Ministry has noted that an inaccurate narrative has been circulating on certain social media platforms, based on a letter requesting the extension of a special access permit to enter airport terminals, obtained by the President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera. The Ministry stated that, on 29 December 2025, Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera had written to the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation on the letterhead of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, requesting that a special access permit previously granted to him to enter airport terminals, which was due to expire on 31 December, be extended for the following year. Taking into account the Venerable Thera’s international religious engagements, the Minister had made a note on the same letter directing that the special airport terminal access permit be extended from 31 December last year for the ensuing year, and referred the matter to the then Chairman for further action. The Ministry further stated that, after considering information provided by the former Chairman regarding certain past experiences related to the issuance of special access permits, the Minister had instructed that an approval letter be issued subject to appropriate conditions. In accordance with these instructions, the former Chairman had taken steps to send a letter to Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera on the 9th of this month, the statement said. It was also noted that, at the request of Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera, the relevant letter had been issued during the first week of January. The Ministry emphasised that there had been no disagreement or conflict between the Minister and former Chairman Harsha Abeywickrama in relation to this matter. The statement further explained that, in light of several changes to the administrative structure of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, as well as certain other considerations, a discussion had been held between the Minister and Mr Abeywickrama on 21 January, following which steps were taken to remove him from