The Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which concluded today, saw the surprising participation of Supreme Global owned by R.M. Manivannan signaling a potentially transformative shift in the airline’s ownership and management.

Supreme Global has formed a robust consortium including MBS Investments, the investment arm of the Private Office of Sheikh Nayef Bin Eid Al Thani of Qatar, and Sherisha Technologies Private Limited, formerly known as SunEdison Energy India Private Limited.

This strategic alliance is set to bring considerable financial and operational prowess to the table, potentially tipping the scales in favor of Supreme Global’s bid to take over SriLankan Airlines, Supreme Global said in a statement.

The privatization of SriLankan Airlines comes at a critical time for the carrier, which has faced numerous challenges over the years, including financial losses and strategic misalignments.