He will succeed CEO Suren Ratwatte.

His appointment is part of the moves to minimize institutional debt and to formulate an investor-friendly business plan under a new management.

Gunatilake was CFO of SriLankan some years ago, and later became TAG Angolan Airlines CFO and director board member.

The debt-ridden SriLankan’s woes are blamed on wrong management and wet-leasing of aircraft at high prices during the 2011-14 period.