Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has not yet approved a set of prequalified bidders for the state-run SriLankan Airlines, according to Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Six parties responded to the initial expression of interest called by Sri Lanka’s State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit to divest the airline.
“The bids are still being evaluated,” de Silva informed reporters in Colombo on Wednesday.
He mentioned that Sri Lanka “would prefer a Sri Lankan entrepreneur or consortium” to invest in the airline, but there has been no firm interest so far.
De Silva emphasized that the prospective parties should have a strong balance sheet and relevant expertise, as the livelihoods of 6,000 employees are at stake.
