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Second airport to cost US $ 60 million

The government plans to build an alternative airport at Kuda Oya, Thanamalwila  near the border around Hambantota District at a cost of US $ 60 million, Bandaranaike International Airport Project Director,   O. J. F. Perera said.

According to Perera the Civil Aviation Authority is preparing to allocate funds for the next stage of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The southern region has been chosen for the project with a view to improving the south, government sources said.

Perera says it is an airport that develops cities and not vice versa. "The government is planning to build an integrated airport with the development of harbours, tourism  industry , road network, power and energy and oil refinery projects that will go hand in hand with the airport. The people of the area will greatly benefit from this as the whole region will be developed and the living conditions improved," he said.

He said in case of an emergency like the LTTE attack on the airport, there is no other alternative airport to divert the in bound planes. This he said led to Sri Lanka being completely shut out from the rest of the world and flights being diverted to Madras and Male at the time of the incident.

According to Perera at the outset the airport would accommodate three planes and it would be used as a domestic airport. Subsequently he said it could be  developed into an international airport.

He also said the project is expected to create thousands of jobs  and would also lead to improved infrastructure facilities in the southern region.

Perera was hopeful that the government would allocate the required funds for the project or negotiate with a foreign donor for funding.

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