With a staggering investment in Sri Lanka’s aviation sector, the Government plans to make Hingurakgoda the sixth international airport to facilitate international flights.
The current international airports are, Ratmalana, Colombo, Mattala, Jaffna and Batticaloa.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation will invest several billions on this project. With this funding, the first phase of development will focus on extending the existing 2,287-metre-long and 46-metre-wide runway to 2,500 metres. Upon completion of these enhancements, the runway will be able to accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft.
The construction is to be undertaken by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The Government aims to transform this centrally located airport into an international airport to bolster the country’s economy and tourism sector. As part of this initiative, the 2024 budget includes a financial allocation of Rs. 2 billion to commence initial construction and development activities.
Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, conducted an inspection of the airport on April 4 to assess challenges and conduct a feasibility study to guide the development efforts.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Acting Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Athula Galketiya, Director, Civil Aviation Services Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya and several officials were also present.
At the discussion, Minister de Silva said: “Through the modernisation of this airport, we hope to transform it into an international airport in the future, for which the President has given Rs. 2 billion in the budget of 2023 to start the construction.”
“Our ultimate goal is to operate Mattala, Katunayake, Ratmalana and Palali airports as well as Hingurakgoda airport as civil airports,” he said.
He asked for the support of all parties to make this development project a success. The Hingurakgoda Domestic Airport was originally constructed for the Royal Air Force of England during World War II and it was known as RAF Minneriya at the time.
