The Sri Lankan government is to develop the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and other facilities in order to accommodate the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals to the country.

Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has said the BIA would be further modernized to international standards due to the increase in the number of tourist arrivals and the country’s trade activities.

He has said the Japanese government has agreed to provide a yen loan amounting to approximately Rs.40 billion through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the development work of the airport.

The Minister has explained that the government’s aim is to convert the airport into a commercial and business hub in the country.

According to Abeywardena, measures have already been taken by the government to develop the tourism sector in the country and increase the number of star class hotels and rooms in the country.

Meanwhile, the government says the construction work of Sri Lankan’s second international airport at Mattala in Hambantota district has nearly been completed and the airport will be opened for international flights at the end of this year.

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