'Mattala Int'l Airport, a milestone in country's development'

The Mattala International Airport would be a milestone in the development of the country, Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said.

The minister was participating at the opening of Sandaruwanpura, a Ranaviru village in Kukulapana, Deltota, Kandy, yesterday.

He observed that only one airport was insufficient to cater to the future needs of the country, adding that the Mattala Airport to be opened today, would fill up this shortage. He also noted that the airport was a key factor for the development of Dubai.

"Dubai was converted into a commercial centre by the establishment of a powerful air service. New terminals have been added to it day by day.

If a country is to become an economic hub, the number of international flights to that country should be increased.

This helps to direct the economy of the country in a new direction. Today's development projects in Sri Lanka are being carried out with a far sighted vision by analyzing all these factors," he said.

The Sandaruwanpura Ranaviru Village had been constructed under the "Janasevana" 1 million housing and habitat development project as envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dakma'. The total number of houses in this this housing project was 37.

Thirty of them were new houses, while 7 had been renovated.

The average cost for a new house was Rs 400,000 while the average cost for a renovated house was Rs 300,000.

The total cost for the project had been Rs 20.2million.