License of Sri Lankan pilot found to be intoxicated suspended by DG Civil Aviation

The licence of the SriLankan Airlines pilot who was found to be under the influence has been suspended with immediate effect by the Director General of Civil Aviation. 

Captain U B U Ranaweera has also been asked to show cause within  seven days as to why his Airline Transport Pilot Licence should not be revoked.

Director General of Civil Aviation H M C Nimalsiri says he was informed that Capt Ranaweera had been subjected to an alcohol breathalyzer test after reporting for duty as Pilot-in-Command of SriLankan Airlines flightUL 554. The flight had been scheduled to depart from Frankfurt, Germany, to Colombo on 19 August 2016. 

It was found that "the test reported alcohol contents of your body above the specified limit", Mr Nimalsiri says, in a letter to the pilot. "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'.

"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," Mr Nimalsiri directs. 

Capt Ranaweera was prevented from flying the aircraft after his First Officers telephone their seniors in Colombo to indicate that he seemed too intoxicated to work. This was proven to be true at a subsequent breathalyzer test.