Mattala Airport investment plans attract 19 local and foreign parties as Sri Lanka seeks private-sector projects to reduce the airport’s losses.
Mattala Airport investment plans have attracted interest from 19 local and foreign investors, as the Government seeks to reduce the long-running financial burden of the loss-making airport.
Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Dr. Anura Karunathilaka said the interested parties have expressed willingness to undertake different investment activities at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
The Government will now call for formal investment proposals, including price quotations and detailed project reports, from those investors.
Potential projects include airport operations, aircraft maintenance centres, pilot training schools and other related commercial activities.
The Minister said the President expects to transform Mattala Airport into an institution that no longer places a financial burden on the Government.
Accordingly, the Mattala Airport investment process will proceed under what the Minister described as a transparent public model.
The airport has recorded losses since its early years. Therefore, the Government’s main objective is to improve efficiency through greater private-sector participation.
The Ministry plans to evaluate the proposals and select those considered both commercially advantageous and practical.
Officials then expect to move quickly towards implementation, with the broader aim of improving Mattala Airport’s financial and operational performance.
