Speculation over national carrier chairman quitting

Speculation was rife this week that under-pressure SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajit Dias is considering stepping down at the end of July.
Sources close to the board of directors said Mr. Dias is believed to have told friends that he intended to step down from his position. However, airline officials, who declined to be named, said Mr. Dias was on leave and in London and gave no such indication of quitting.
On Friday, July 7, Colonel (Rtd.) Sunil D. Peiris, board director and Director of Human Resources at the airline resigned after he says a ‘humiliating meeting with the President and several ministers.” 
The chairman, CEO and board of directors have come under severe attack over the management of the airline which is struggling to find a partner to manage the airline and/or come in as a shareholder.
Last week Col. Pieiris told the Sunday Times that the board of directors were humiliated and ‘diabolical lies dished out by some ministers’ at a mid- June meeting where the airline board of directors faced a tirade of accusations from ministers in the presence of the President. Other members of the board are Rakitha Jayawardena, Rajan Brito, Mahinda Haradasa, R. Chanaka De Silva, Niranjan De Silva Deva Aditya and Harendra K. Balapatabendi. Strong divisions have emerged in the board of which the Government is also aware, it is learnt. – ENDS -