In a move that has stirred discontent among observers, the Cabinet of Ministers has recently approved the privatization of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, entrusting its management to a private sector entity just before the upcoming elections. The decision grants operational control to Shaurya Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia, or an affiliated company, for a span of 30 years.
This approval follows an initial Cabinet meeting on January 9, 2023, where it was decided to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) from firms interested in utilizing the airport’s facilities. Out of the EOIs solicited, five institutions submitted their proposals.
Many see this decision as unsettling, particularly given its timing relative to the national elections, raising concerns about the transparency and long-term implications of such significant state asset management shifts. The arrangement, recommended by a Consensus Negotiating Committee appointed by the Cabinet, marks a pivotal change in the stewardship of Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure, leaving some skeptical about the future repercussions for national sovereignty and public interest.
