By: Staff Writer
August 31, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project has resumed after years of delay, backed by renewed financing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is seen as vital for achieving the government’s target of attracting 5–7 million high-spending tourists annually by 2030.
Haskoning DHV Nederland B.V, a consulting engineering firm, has been appointed to draft the master plan for the expansion project of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
This master plan will concentrate on planning the future of the airport, taking into account capacity, efficiency, and passenger experience to ensure that it is able to accommodate more passenger traffic and meet Sri Lanka’s tourism objectives.
However, concerns are mounting over the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s ability to deliver, as its rigid anti-corruption drive has created a climate of hesitation among officials and slowed decision-making on large infrastructure projects.
Expansion and Strategic Importance
The BIA master plan includes the long-delayed Terminal 2, modernization of arrival and departure facilities, e-gates, biometric screening, upgraded baggage handling, and enhanced visitor amenities such as ATM facilities and tourist information counters.
With passenger numbers already exceeding the airport’s original design capacity, the upgrades are critical to easing congestion and maintaining Sri Lanka’s competitiveness against regional hubs in India and the Maldives.
Tourism remains a key foreign exchange earner, and stakeholders warn that without a modernized airport, Sri Lanka risks discouraging airlines and travelers. Analysts argue that completing BIA’s expansion is central to positioning the country as a South Asian aviation hub.
Latest Developments at BIA
As of August 30, 2025, operations continue without major disruption. Authorities have introduced a new traffic plan for vehicles and airlines are stretching peak flight schedules to reduce bottlenecks. A new counter issuing temporary driving licenses for tourists opened on August 29, improving visitor convenience.
Political Climate and Governance Challenges
Despite these operational measures, doubts surround whether the NPP government can effectively steer the massive expansion project. Since coming to power, the administration has focused heavily on anti-corruption campaigns, arresting and remanding opposition politicians and investigating alleged financial misappropriations. While applauded by the public, this stance has had unintended consequences.
Senior officials, wary of being accused of corruption or misuse of funds, are reportedly reluctant to take decisions or provide guidance on project execution. This bureaucratic paralysis risks slowing down procurement, approvals, and coordination with international partners—processes that are essential to completing mega infrastructure projects like the BIA expansion.
Risks of Delay
Observers note that Sri Lanka has already lost valuable time, with Terminal 2 construction suspended since 2022. Any further delays could undermine tourism growth, reduce foreign exchange inflows, and damage investor confidence. With debt restructuring still fragile, the country cannot afford setbacks in projects tied directly to economic recovery.
The NPP’s relative inexperience in governance further fuels concern. Unlike previous administrations, it lacks a tested track record in managing complex international projects, raising fears that political distractions and inaction could overshadow technical progress made with JICA and other partners.
Outlook
For now, BIA is managing congestion through temporary solutions, while construction of Terminal 2 resumes. But analysts warn that unless the government strikes a balance between combating corruption and enabling efficient governance, Sri Lanka risks another cycle of delay.
The next 12–18 months will be crucial. If the NPP can demonstrate both clean governance and administrative efficiency, BIA could emerge as a world-class aviation hub by the end of the decade. If not, Sri Lanka may miss its tourism and economic recovery targets, with the airport remaining a symbol of stalled potential.
