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By Shirajiv Sirimane

"The Katunayake International airport will be open to the domestic airlines in the near future," said the Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation, Cecil Amarasinghe.

Amarasinghe told the 'Daily News' that in most countries too international and domestic airports are in close proximity. "The problem is that part of the Katunayake airport is being occupied by the Air Force. We have to negotiate in this regard. But we have accepted this proposal and this would soon be a reality," he said.

He said that 12 more travel companies are seeking Ministry approval to operate domestic airlines in Sri Lanka. "We are studying these proposals."

Already Expo Aviation, Serendib and Lion Air are operating flights to Palaly Jaffna after the peace process gained momentum.

The Secretary said that the government is now in the process of opening the Hingurakgoda airstrip for domestic travel. "The Ministry is planning to convert this strip into an international airport as an alternative airport to Katunayake."

Sri Lanka has 14 domestic airports including Ratmalana and Palaly and Serendib airlines has already received BOI approval to convert the Weerawila airport to international standards.

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