Sri Lanka's first Water Aerodrome opens

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka's first Water Aerodrome, in Dandugama Oya in Seeduwa was opened yesterday by Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development.

The investment for the project was undertaken by the Ministry of Economic Development while the construction was carried out by the Western Province Road Development Authority.

The Minister said that the government initially had planned to build this Aerodrome at the Negombo lagoon but had to abandon it since the fishermen in the area protested to it as it would disrupt their day to day life.

Minister said that as a responsible government they moved the venue to Ja Ela adhering to the requests of them.

The new Water Aerodrome could accommodate sea and float planes on wheels and also has a passenger lounge to accommodate passengers and parking facilities to accommodate large tourist buses. In a bid to reach out to the community of the area, SriLankan Airlines also operated scenic tours for 30 young students in the area, giving them a first-hand experience of flying in an air taxi. Minister of Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne said that this experience would also give the students a new dimension of today's air travel needs.

The Water Aerodrome will be of great convenience to SriLankan Airlines’ in-coming international passengers, who can board the float planes that will take them direct to domestic points in the country and also for departing passengers to reach the airport without the hassles of surface transport. Scheduled flights connecting SriLankan Airlines international flights operate daily, while charter flights and the 'popular’ scenic flights are also available on request.

Felix Perera,Minister of Social Services, Dulip Wijesekara, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management, Sudharshani Fernandofulle, Member of Parliament, Nimal Lanza, Western Provincial council Minister and several others also participated in this occasion.

 

Special invitees with students	Some highlights of the event
Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya