Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (Mattala Airport) is set to be converted into an aircraft repair center, as part of a government initiative to make the facility profitable, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Ratnayake announced in Parliament today.
Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget, Ratnayake revealed that the government is seeking a suitable foreign partner to collaborate on the project.
“Mattala Airport was built at a cost of Rs. 36.5 billion, and its total loss over the last five years has reached Rs. 38.5 billion. We want to convert this institution into a profitable enterprise,” he stated.
The proposed transformation aims to utilize the underused airport for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, providing economic benefits while reducing financial losses.
