Sri Lankan government to invest Rs. 500 million to develop Mattala International Airport
The government of Sri Lanka has reportedly decided to invest Rs. 500 million for the rehabilitation of the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in order to bring it back to international standards within six months.
Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Airport and Aviation Services Ltd, Retired Major General G.A. Chandrasiri has told Daily News Finance that the upgrading of the MRIA will cost around Rs. 500 million, which would also include infrastructure upgrades.
He has noted that Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industrial Exports, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga was expected to present a Cabinet Memorandum requesting for Rs. 500 million for the upgrade.
According to Chandrasiri, there has to be around 1,000 acres of jungle land which has to be cleared by the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Air Force was in the process of rebuilding the outer and inner perimeter fence, he said.
The Chairman has also said that the upgrade will also include the creation of a massive cargo hub and also a Flying Academy which will also recruit and train both local and international pilots as well.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka is committed to developing the country’s domestic aviation sector with the aim of giving a boost to the trade and tourism sectors. Sri Lanka is currently engaged in a development programme covering all key economic sectors. Therefore, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/10022020/Z_1 |