The government has decided to modernize the Hingurakgoda Domestic Airport, an antiquated airport in Sri Lanka, to facilitate international flight operations. This airport, originally constructed for the Royal Air Force of England during World War II, was known as RAF Minneriya at the time.

Under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current government aims to transform this centrally located airport into an international airport  to bolster the country's economy. As part of this initiative, the 2024 budget includes a financial allocation of 2 billion rupees to commence initial construction and development activities.

With this funding, the first phase of development will focus on extending the existing 2287-meter-long and 46-meter-wide runway to 2500 meters. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation emphasizes that upon completion of these enhancements, the runway will be capable of accommodating Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft. The total Project Cost is 17 billions rupees.

In order to assess existing challenges and conduct a feasibility study to guide the development efforts at Hingurakgoda Airport, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Hon.Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, conducted a special inspection at the airport on April 4th, 2024.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Mr.K.D.S.Ruwanchandra,  Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force – Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Acting Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority – Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., - Mr. Athula Galketiya,  Director, Civil Aviation Services Authority – Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya and several officials were also present at the occasion.

In the discussion, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said: Through the modernization of this airport, we hope to transform it into an international airport in the future, for which the President has given 02 billion rupees in the budget of 2023 to start the construction. Accordingly, every year to come  Higurakgoda is working to provide funds from the budget for the construction of the airport.

 Explaining further, the minister said: Our ultimate goal is to operate Mattala, Katunayake, Ratmalana and Palali airports as well as Higurakgoda airport as a civil airport.

 Therefore, he asked for the support of all parties to make this development project a success.

Source - Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Aviation.