Batticaloa Airport to be developed further

A tripartite agreement will be signed between the Airport and Aviation Company, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and the Air Force for this purpose,” said Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga. The CAA is currently drafting this agreement which will create a clear distinction between civilian and military operations.

Under the project a flight control tower will be constructed and the northern part of the runway too will be developed while fire and rescue facilities too would be added. Minister Ranatunga said that a special program will be implemented to identify aviation and tourism related investment opportunities within the airport premises and in the Eastern Province.

“A special project to promote the Batticaloa Airport has already been launched together with travel agents and tourist hotels in Batticaloa.” Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to resume the scheduled Jaffna-Colombo flights which were canceled due to the Covid pandemic.

Accordingly, discussions are underway with local and Indian airline companies and the Minister expressed hope that the flights will be able to resume in the first quarter of this year.