Govt. to use own funds on Weerawila Airport

Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to commence construction of the Weerawila international airport using its own funds.

Deputy Ports and Aviation Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne told the Daily News that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the Ministry to initiate work on the mega development project with the financial assistance of the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL).

Accordingly, the AASL will provide funds for the commencement of the work until an investor is found for the project which is expected to cost Rs. 1,400 million.

The Minister said they have completed the acquisition of a large area of the land required for building the airport, after providing adequate compensation to the land owners.

"Around 1,100 hectares of land has been earmarked for the project. However, we have permitted persons residing in the outskirts of the proposed airport to remain in their houses until the work begins," he said.

The AASL has undertaken to provide Rs. 500 million out of the total cost of the airport which would function mainly as an airhub for cargo planes flying to Europe via South East Asia.

The first phase of the project which consists of constructing the airport having the capacity to accommodate the giant A380 airbuses and commencing operations, will be completed by 2010.

The second and final phase under which the airport will be further expanded is expected to be completed by 2011.