The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to resume the 2nd terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) extension project, Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva announced.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the project will be facilitated under a concessionary loan scheme.
According to a previous JICA statement, the objective of the project was to improve the facilities of the Katunayake Airport to cope with air traffic.
The project focuses on the construction of the second passenger terminal and the required utility. The terminal building was to be developed based on the concept of Eco-Airport with Japanese advanced technology and know-how.
The concept includes rainwater harvesting for the landscaping works and recycled water from the sewerage treatment plant for flushing toilets, photovoltaic power generation, solar energy harvesting, LED lighting, energy-efficient glazing, etc.
After the completion of the Terminal, the airport was to be able to handle 15 million passengers per annum and eventually ease the air traffic movement.
The construction of the new passenger terminal building by Taisei Corporation Japan was expected to be opened in 2024.
However, following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, JICA halted the funding for Terminal 2 construction of the BIA Development project and the move compelled the Japanese Taisei Corporation to suspend construction. (Newswire)