Qatari and Indian interests are part of a consortium that wants to buy a majority stake in SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International), according to Colombo's Daily FT outlet. MBS Investments, the investment arm of Sheikh Nayef Bin Eid Al Thani's private office, has teamed up with Sri Lanka's Supreme Global Holdings and India's Sherisha Technologies Ltd., formerly known as SunEdison Energy India Ltd., to bid for SriLankan.
The Sri Lankan government, which owns 99.52% of SriLankan Airlines, is in the process of selling a controlling stake in it, with the request for qualification (RfQ) ending in April. ch-aviation previously reported on Supreme's interest in bidding to take over the airline after it was outed via an MMAG Aviation Consortium Bursa Malaysia filing announcing a deal to operate a feeder cargo network for Supreme if it managed to win the right to acquire SriLankan.
The sheikh, a member of Qatar's ruling Thani family, uses his office to invest in a wide range of industries. Via his website, Thani says he invests to "accelerate the growth of companies." There are unconfirmed reports that Sherisha's foray into the Sri Lankan aviation sector enjoys the backing of the Indian government. Indian company records indicate the private business was established in 2010, has eight active directors, and paid up capital of INR1.49 billion rupees (USD17.9 million).
Among the other parties lodging RfQs to buy SriLankan Airlines are Hayleys Plc., FitsAir (8D, Colombo International), Air Asia Consulting, Dharshaan Elite Investment Holding Ltd., and Treasure Republic Guardians Ltd.
