July 20, Colombo (LNW): Construction work to modernise the Hingurakgoda domestic airport for international flight operations commenced under the initiative of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday (19).
Originally built during World War II as RAF Minneriya for the British Royal Air Force, the airport is located in the middle of the country. The government has decided to transform it into an international airport to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic growth. The 2024 Budget has allocated Rs. 2 billion for its initial construction and development. In Phase I, the current 2,287-metre-long and 46-metre-wide runway will be extended to 2,500 metres.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in six months to accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry emphasized that the total construction cost, estimated at around Rs. 17 billion, will be carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
The total supervision of the project is entrusted to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited.
State Minister Siripala Gamlath, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, Sri Lanka Air Force Commander – Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Civil Aviation Authority Chairman – G. S. Withanage, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Chairman – Eng. Athula Galketiya, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority – Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya and several other officials attended the event.
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that the modernisation project aims to transform Hingurakgoda Airport into an international airport.
He mentioned that Rs. 2 billion had been allocated through the 2024 Government budget for the airport’s development and that the government would continue to allocate funds each year for its construction.
“Our ultimate goal is to operate Hingurakgoda Airport as an international civil airport, similar to Mattala, Katunayake, Ratmalana, and Palali Airports. Therefore, to make this development project a success, I request the collaborative support of all concerned parties,” the Minister said.
