May 11, Colombo (LNW): Several international investors, including prominent firms from the Middle East, India and China, have expressed interest in participating in the redevelopment and commercial management of Sri Lanka’s Mattala International Airport, government officials revealed.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, the airport has been opened up for Expressions of Interest as part of a renewed effort to attract private sector involvement in its operations and future expansion. A Cabinet-appointed committee has been assigned to engage with both local and foreign parties to explore potential investment structures and long-term management arrangements.
Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Aruna Karunatilake told the news agency that initial responses to the call for investment have been stronger than expected, with around 47 entities submitting expressions of interest at the preliminary stage. He noted that among the interested parties are several well-established companies from the Middle East, alongside firms based in India and China.
The renewed investor attention comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in the wider Middle East region have raised uncertainty across global energy and transport corridors. Despite this, officials indicated that interest in long-term infrastructure investments in South Asia remains steady, particularly in strategically located transport hubs.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was originally developed with financing of nearly US$200 million from China during the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Situated in close proximity to the Hambantota Port, the airport was intended to serve as a major aviation and logistics hub in the southern region.
At present, the facility operates at a relatively limited capacity, mainly handling charter flights and occasional tourist arrivals. Authorities are now seeking to reposition the airport as a commercially viable asset, potentially expanding its role in cargo handling, aircraft servicing and regional aviation services.
Officials believe that with the right strategic partnership, the airport could be transformed into a more active component of Sri Lanka’s transport and logistics network, contributing to broader economic development in the southern province.