Blue Skies Aviation, an aviation maintenance company based at Ratmalana Airport. Founded in 2020, the company provides aircraft maintenance services. According to information published on its website, retired Air Force person Asitha Manage serves as the Managing Director and Accountable Manager, alongside several other board members (Retd. Air Force).
However, according to sources familiar with the company, the principal investor is Sri Lankan businessman Bilisha Fernando, who is based between Laos and New Zealand. Sources further state that his son, Shehan Fernando currently oversees the company’s day-to-day operations.
Main Story: According to sources familiar with the matter, Asitha Manage, the Managing Director of the company, was responsible for overseeing its operations. Sources allege that a recent internal audit identified significant financial and management irregularities, which they claim caused substantial damage to the business. They further allege that company investor signatures were improperly used in transactions involving approximately Rs. 30 million. Following the audit, the company’s owners reportedly lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and an investigation is said to be on final stage. And some reports speculate that Asitha Manage could be arrested in the coming week.
According to a close friend of the investor, Asitha Manage and his family have reportedly begged to the investors not to pursue legal action, claiming that doing so would severely damage his career. The same source further alleges that the principal investor has identified a number of financial frauds at Blue Skies Aviation dating back to the company’s establishment. The source claims these were linked to decisions made by Manage.
According to sources, Redbird Aviation has reportedly terminated its maintenance agreement with Blue Skies Aviation and transferred its maintenance work to Fly Southern Aviation, which is also based at Ratmalana. Sources claim this decision was made amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Blue Skies Aviation.
Captain Elmo Jayawardena, a respected figure in Sri Lanka’s aviation industry, has also been associated with the company. His association has attracted attention given his long-standing reputation and the current allegations involving the company.
The owner of Sakurai Aviation is also involved in po—lit-ics. Questions have also been raised by some industry observers regarding Lakwin Aviation owner and his history. Separately, some critics have also made allegations concerning helicopter operator Viranjith Thambugala.
Many industry observers consider Asian Aviation Centre, founded by veteran film director Chandran Rathnam, to be the only organization carrying out genuine aviation training and business operations.
Ratmalana is widely regarded as the birthplace of aviation in Sri Lanka and has a rich aviation heritage. However, some industry stakeholders believe its reputation has declined in recent years due to the actions of certain individuals like Manage, which they claim have discouraged new businesses from entering the sector.
Many of Sri Lanka’s next generation of aviation professionals are trained and mentored at Ratmalana. Some industry stakeholders believe the allegations involving Asitha Manage have raised concerns about the reputation of the aviation training environment at Ratmalana.
According to several veteran aviation professionals from Ratmalana and retired Air Force personnel, if the allegations against Asitha Manage are proven through the legal process, he should face the full force of the law to prevent further damage to the Sri Lankan aviation industry.
