Drunk SriLankan Airlines' pilot suspended

Sri Lankan aviation authorities on Monday suspended the licence of the errant SriLankan Airlines pilot who failed a breathalyzer test forcing the national carrier to delay a flight from Frankfurt to Colombo by 15 hours.

In letter to Capt. U.B. Ranaweera, Director General of Civil Aviation H.M.C. Nimalasiri said that in view of the seriousness of alleged violation on the published requirements relating to flight safety, “the Airline Transport Pilot Licence number ATPL/A/267 issued to you, is hereby suspended with immediate effect under the powers vested in this office in terms of Air Navigation Regulations pending further investigations”.
Capt Ranaweera was ordered to show cause within seven days as to why his licence should  not be revoked for the alleged violation.
On Saturday, the national carrier said its Frankfurt-Colombo flight was delayed by 15 hours due to the non-arrival of a crew member. On Sunday the airline admitted the delay was due to an inebriated pilot whose services has since then been suspended.  
The airline said it had provided hotel accommodation and other facilities to waiting passengers and vowed strong action against the errant pilot.
Mr. Nimalsiri’s letter said, “I have been informed by the Chief Pilot A-330, Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd., that you were subjected to an Alcohol Breathalyzer test after reporting for duty as Pilot-in-Command of SriLankan Airlines flight UL 554 which was scheduled to depart from Frankfurt, Germany to Colombo on 19th August 2016 and the test reported alcohol contents of your body above the specified limit. Accordingly you are alleged to have contravened the stipulations in the Implementing Standard-035 on the Prohibition of use of Alcohol or Psychoactive substances by personnel holding Licence, Ratings or Certificates, engaged in Safety and/or Security Sensitive relating to Civil Aviation.” - ENDS -