SriLankan Airlines says health protocols being followed after pilot tests positive

Sri Lankan Airlines yesterday said that it was in touch with health authorities after a meeting had been held on Monday between the senior management and several pilots after which it was learnt that one pilot who had attended was carrying the COVID-19 virus.

The meeting held on January 18, had taken place with Chairman Ashok Pathirage and senior Airline officials along with at least 40 pilots. It is learnt that one pilot who had attended the meeting had just returned from Melbourne and before arriving in Sri Lanka, had undergone a PCR test. However, during his arrival back to the country, the results of his PCR test were still not known. The particular pilot had attended the meeting on Monday and only after this meeting was he notified by the officials in Melbourne that his PCR test had come in positive.

Sri Lankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage confirmed to Daily Mirror that the meeting had been held but said that all the necessary health protocols had been taken.

“It is true the meeting was held and we got to know from the Australian authorities only yesterday afternoon because he (the pilot) had flown on an antigen test which was negative. He had done a PCR test when he was there but the results came only yesterday, which was after the meeting was held. It was a large place where the meeting was held and we have gone to the health authorities and the necessary action has been taken,” Pathirage said