InitRef, I read the stuff Mendis posts at airliners and he is definitely more competent than most of the kiddies that frequent that joint. His taste in friends is another story but at least he was open about it. Gunship is right, if you want to start unveiling people don't hide behind your own username.
jac - I am not unveiling people - Information about Mendis is public domain on various internet bulletin boards and posted by him - so I am not spreading anything that is either unverifiable or inaccurate.
As such I don't see any problem posting anonymously.
How do you define Mendis as "competent"? That he has a lot of knowledge of Air India operations from his cabin crew parents? detail knowledge of Frequent flyer programs that he is a member of? Anorak-level interest in schedules and route authorities that are also either public domain - or available through GDS?
Yes - definitely.
But competent airline executive with ANY experience in scheduled carrier ops? No.
Same for AC Vitale.