Sri Lanka to call fresh Expressions of Interest for MRIA in May
The Morning: The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has revealed plans to call for fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under multiple service categories for the comprehensive and holistic development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in May.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed that they had obtained Cabinet approval to cancel the previous EOI process commenced by the former regime calling for a passenger operator for MRIA.
He added that they had now been granted permission to call for fresh EOIs for the restructured project under several service categories.
Accordingly, the Deputy Minister revealed that they would be publishing notices calling for EOIs in May.
Commenting on a possible timeline for completion of the process, he said: “Our aim is to complete this process by the end of this year.”
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business earlier this year, Kodithuwakku explained that the objective of limiting the previous EOI process to the development of passenger operations at the MRIA was inadequate, as the requisite surrounding infrastructure also required development.
Accordingly, it was decided to restructure the project by dividing it into several distinct categories, such as Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), passenger operations, cargo, hotel and hospitality services, and flying schools, and to make the necessary land allocations with a view to facilitating the comprehensive development of the MRIA as an integrated and holistic system.
Responding to queries by The Sunday Morning Business on the current status of the appointment of a new contractor to complete the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Terminal II project, Kodithuwakku revealed that the technical evaluation of the two prospective Japanese contractors who had submitted bids to serve as the main contractor for the completion of the project had been completed.
He added that they were now awaiting the concurrence of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the technical evaluation.
However, the Deputy Minister stated that they were continuing with the processing of the bids pending JICA concurrence, adding that they would be able to conclude the process soon.
The contract for the construction of the BIA Terminal II project, which involves the construction of a multi-level terminal, was valued at $ 564 million and was initially awarded to Taisei Corporation in 2020.
However, following the stoppage of construction work in 2022 due to the funding freeze imposed by JICA following Sri Lanka’s default, Taisei Corporation terminated its contract with Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s renewed push to develop MRIA signals a broader shift in the country’s infrastructure strategy towards one that is increasingly aligned with the country’s ambition to become a regional hub in South Asia. The planned call for fresh EOIs opens the door for foreign businesses/investors to participate across multiple service verticals, from airport operations and ground handling to cargo logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and commercial real estate development. MRIA’s strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes makes it particularly attractive for integrated air-sea logistics solutions, offering businesses/investors a unique platform to tap into transit trade and regional cargo movement. Beyond MRIA, Sri Lanka’s wider infrastructure development programme reflects growing demand driven by tourism recovery, trade expansion, and rising passenger traffic. Business/investment opportunities are emerging in airport modernisation, smart aviation technologies, and capacity expansion projects aimed at improving efficiency and passenger experience. This includes digitalisation of airport services, sustainability-focused upgrades, and the development of airport cities with retail, hospitality, and business parks. The Sri Lankan government’s hub ambitions also create scope for public-private partnerships (PPPs), allowing international operators, businesses and investors to bring in technical expertise, capital, and global best practices. These partnerships can help position Sri Lanka as a competitive alternative to congested regional hubs while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with projected growth. Given that Sri Lanka’s aviation sector is transitioning from underutilised capacity to future-ready infrastructure, foreign businesses/investors are presented with timely opportunities to enter a market poised for expansion.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260504/Z_3 |