June 5, 2013, 9:51 pm

SriLankan airlines will purchase six new aircraft at a cost of Rs. 310,000 million, Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne told Parliament yesterday.

The A 340 aircraft, operated by the airline, were over 18 years old, the minister said, adding that their leases were over and, therefore, they would be returned to the companies from which they had been obtained. The board of directors of the SriLankan airlines had granted approval for purchasing new aircraft, the minister said.

He said that the SriLankan airlines would settle its outstanding dues to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation within the next two years.

He was responding to a question raised by UNP Kurunegala District MP, Dayasiri Jayasekera. (SI)