Hingurakgoda airport to be modernised for international flight operations

Colombo, July 19 (Daily Mirror)- The construction work to modernise the Hingurakgoda domestic airport for international flight operations commenced today under the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The airport, formerly known as RAF Minneriya, was built during World War II for the British Royal Air Force. The government has decided to transform the airport, located in the middle of the country, into an international airport to strengthen Sri Lanka's economic enhancement.

The 2024 budget has allocated Rs. 2 billion for its initial construction and development. In Phase I, the current 2,287-metre-long and 46-metre-wide runway will be extended to 2,500 metres.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in six months to accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation emphasises that the total construction cost, estimated at around Rs. 17 billion, will be carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). The total supervision of the project is entrusted to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited. This runway expansion will occur within the perimeter of the SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, eliminating the need for additional land acquisition.

This project, the largest in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force, demonstrates the SLAF's civil engineering capabilities and commitment to enhancing Sri Lanka's aviation sector by constructing an international runway at Hingurakgoda airport. A skilled workforce of SLAF Airmen from the Air Field Construction Wing at the SLAF Base Ratmalana will execute the project, coordinated by Director of the Special Project Management Unit, Air Vice Marshal Engineer Sumedha Silva. This initiative showcases the SLAF's technical prowess and marks a significant step in developing Sri Lanka's aviation infrastructure to meet international standards.