The government is considering establishing an international civil airport in Hingurakgoda, it was reported.
According to Daily Mirror, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation plans to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport, also known as the Minneriya Airport, as an international civil airport.
During a special discussion held at the Ministry yesterday (03), Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva made the proposal to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport as an international civil airport.
The Minister pointed out the convenience of facilitating visits to the Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Dambulla areas by transforming the Hingurakgoda airport into an international civil airport.
He further said that this development will help Sri Lanka increase its foreign exchange earnings by attracting more foreign tourists to these historical and cultural sites.
“A field study will be conducted pertaining to improving and developing the airport for the landing and takeoff of A330 aircraft. Extending the current 2,287 m runway up to 2,800 m, construction of an access way to the airport runway, setting up an air navigation system, and construction of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and a passenger terminal at the airport were decided as essential measures,” he added.
Minister Nimal Sirpala de Silva further revealed that the administration and operation of the said airport are currently under the Sri Lanka Air Force. (NewsWire)