Engineering veteran becomes CEO in a break from convention, tasked with steering the airline through its most consequential reform programme in years 

Vipul Misra has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines with effect from September 9, 2026. He previously served as Head of Engineering and Accountable Manager at the national carrier. 

Misra joined SriLankan Airlines in 2024, bringing with him extensive experience in aircraft engineering and senior aviation management. Prior to his tenure with the national carrier, he built his career across several leading Indian airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara and IndiGo, where he held senior positions in engineering and management. 

A licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with over twenty years of experience, Misra was based in Delhi before taking up his position in Sri Lanka. His elevation marks a notable departure from convention — the CEO’s chair at the airline has typically been occupied by a pilot or an executive with a financial background, making the appointment of a technical specialist a significant change in direction. 

The appointment also fills a leadership gap that has persisted at the airline for some time. Yasantha Dissanayake had served as acting CEO since March 2025, while Dimal Arandara took over as acting Chairman following the resignation of Sarath Ganegoda in March 2026. 

Misra assumes command at a decisive moment for the carrier. SriLankan Airlines is preparing to enter a major restructuring phase, and the new CEO is expected to lead the airline through this period, with operational efficiency, financial sustainability and organisational restructuring among his key priorities. The state-owned airline is grappling with accumulated losses approaching Rs. 340 billion, and a committee appointed in June 2026 chaired by Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Hans Wijayasuriya and supported in an advisory capacity by the International Finance Corporation is guiding the reform programme. Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku has stated that restructuring is expected to commence within six months, following the committee’s recommendations. 

SriLankan Airlines operates a fleet of approximately 23 aircraft to around 35 destinations from its hub at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, and is a member of the oneworld alliance, with India serving as its primary revenue market — a market Misra knows intimately from his years with Indian carriers.