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| Monday, 21 June 2004 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Minister of Ports, Aviation, Information and Media Mangala Samaraweera has directed the civil aviation authority to renovate the abandoned Koggala airstrip. Following Minister Samaraweera's directive, the Koggala airstrip which is now defunct will be refurbished and upgraded as a mini airport for small aircraft, a senior Ministry official told the Daily News. The renovated airport will also be used as a pilot training centre and for airports such as ballooning. The 1,033 metre deserted Koggala airstrip is now in a dilapidated state and unsuitable for aircraft landings or take offs. "Once upgraded, the Koggala airport would facilitate foreign tourists visiting the South and South bound local travellers," the official added. Minister Samaraweera has also directed the authorities to encourage travel agencies and star class hotels giving concessionary packages for local and foreign tourists visiting South. "More concessionary packages will help to attract further tourists to the South, boosting tourism in the province," he added. The official said a tourist visiting the Southern coastal belt using the highway has to spend nearly five hours from the Bandaranaike International Airport. "Once the proposed project is completed, a tourist would have to spend only 45 minutes to reach Koggala from Katunayake by light aircraft," the official added. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority has requested the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to draft a feasibility report on upgrading the Koggala airstrip to international standards. |
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