Rs.1.6bn allocated for development of Palali airport

Colombo (News1st) - Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva says the Government plans to upgrade the Palali airport and that a sum of Rs 1600mn is to be allocated for the purpose. He made these remarks at the Annual Academic Awards of the Asian Aviation Center held in Colombo. The minister went onto note that they are also looking at developing a number of other domestic airports such as those in Sigiriya and Trincomalee. He noted that they aim to enter into an agreement with the Indian airport authority to develop Mattala airport to bring more business. He reiterated that the Government is not selling the airport but entering into a partnership in order to make the airport more profitable and attract more business. Reacting to the comments expressed by Minister Nimal Siripala, Leader of the National Unity Front Azath Salley stated that the Palali airport, the Mattala airport and the Trincomalee Port are crucial strategic locations for the country. Salley noted that even though the Government claims that they have not sold any properties, a 99-year lease is very similar to an outright sale. He noted that President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Malik Samaraiwkcrma will not be alive to see these assets return into the care of the country. Salley believes that Nimal Siripala's statements were not his own but that of Malik Samarawickrama and Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Leader of the NUF called on the Government to resolve the issues of the country or to hand it over to someone who can.