Minister inspects proposed airport site at Weerawila

COLOMBO: Foreign Affairs, Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera made a special inspection tour of the proposed international airport site at Weerawila on Wednesday.

The initial construction plans of the proposed airport at Weerawila which will also be Sri Lanka's second international airport has already commenced. The foundation stone for the construction activities of the new airport will be laid at the end of September 2006.

Construction activities are due to be completed within four to five years since commencement. Commenting during the inspection tour, Samaraweera said the construction of the new international airport will not only benefit Hambantota district but also fulfil a long awaited need of the whole country.

"It will also benefit the economic development of the country,"he added. Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa and Mahinda Amaraweera, Ports and Aviation Ministry Secretary Thilak Collure and several Government officers also participated in the inspection tour.