SriLankan appoints new Country Manager for UAE

With more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, yield management, cargo revenue optimization, passenger pricing and reservation services, Mr. Perera brings a solid background to this role. He has held several senior-level positions, most recently handling passenger pricing and yield management at SriLankan in Colombo.

SriLankan's business from the Middle East is strong and continues to grow, and Mr. Perera's long career with airlines makes him a welcome and valued addition to the SriLankan team in the region.

Mr. Perera will be based in Dubai and will be responsible for heading the UAE's local operations. He will also team with other regional offices to expand regional operations of SriLankan.

Mr. Perera has a wide array of airline managerial experience in different commercial and operational fields and brings a wealth of valuable experience to fuel the growth plans of the airline.

As the Country Manager Mr. Perera will provide leadership covering operations, sales, marketing and services and will be responsible for overseeing SriLankan Airlines business initiatives in the UAE.

Having joined SriLankan in 2003 as Manager, Cargo Revenue Optimization, in 2006 he was entrusted with additional responsibilities heading Passenger Pricing, Yield Management, Pricing Distribution and Reservation Services.

His experience in the airline industry stretches beyond SriLankan Airlines, having been attached to British Airways Sales in Colombo, Male and Abu Dhabi.

In 2001, Mr. Perera was awarded the 'Brave Heart' Customer Service Award, a nomination made by then British Airways Chairman, Sir Colin Marshall.

With several years experience in the UAE, he was quite upbeat about the potential for Sri Lankan Airlines in the UAE. "It's like coming home," he said.

"SriLankan Airlines is in a unique position to grow in this market while adding value to the destinations. I look forward to working closely with our partners in the UAE and anticipate a period of strong growth ahead,"

he concluded.

Mr. Perera has replaced Ms Desiree Premachandra who has assumed new duties at the Head Office in Colombo and heads FlySmiles - the airlines frequent flyer programme.