- Preliminary work completed: Prasanna
- Five more domestic airports also planned
By Dinitha Rathnayake
An aquatic airport is expected to be established in Colombo Port City, according to Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga.
The aquatic airport‘s preliminary work has been completed and will be established with the aim of promoting the tourism industry.
Five domestic airports located in Sri Lanka’s tourist zones have been identified for development with the aim of boosting local and foreign tourism.
The five airports are located in Sigiriya, Koggala, Ampara, Anuradhapura, and Hingurakgoda.
The Government has paid special attention to develop these five airports on a priority basis and the Minister has instructed the authorities to expedite the process.
Sigiriya is a tourist destination that attracts a large number of local and foreign tourists.
The Koggala domestic airport is located close to the famous Mirissa beach for whale watching.
The Ampara domestic airport is located close to the east coast and the Anuradhapura and Hingurakgoda domestic airports are planned to be developed to cater to the local kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Ranatunga further stated that the development of the Batticaloa International Airport as a domestic airport could also boost the tourism industry along the East Coast. He also instructed to take necessary steps in this regard. It was also revealed that there are plans to resume international flights at Ratmalana Airport after 55 years.
At present there are 10 domestic airstrips under the control of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The airports are Sigiriya, Koggala, Ampara, Anuradhapura, Hingurakgoda, Katukurunda, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Weerawila, and Puttalam. In addition, the Ratmalana, Jaffna, Mattala, and Batticaloa airports operate under the airport and the airline, as well as the domestic airport.
