Upcoming MoU with India to develop Jaffna International Airport

By Charumini de Silva

The Government will soon ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India to develop the Jaffna International Airport, a top Minister confirmed.

The Government of India has agreed to provide a grant of Rs. 300 million for the development of the Jaffna International Airport and the Cabinet also granted approval to sign the MoU in the near future. 

“We are in the process of expediting the signing of the agreement and the development activities will be commenced soon,” Tourism Development and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Daily FT. 

Tourism and Aviation Ministry Secretary Marina Mohammed will be authorised to sign the MoU on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. will be empowered to utilise a grant of Rs. 300 million provided by the Government of India.

The Minister said the MoU is expected to construct a light baggage handling system, departure control system, water supply, sewerage system, and solid waste drainage system with the Rs. 300 million grant from India.

He noted that the procurement work is also currently underway to construct the runway lighting system at the airport.

“The passenger terminal facilities at the Jaffna airport are limited. More facilities will be required to handle commercial aircraft and international passengers,” he pointed out.

After the end of the conflict in 2009, the Palaly Airport was opened for domestic civilian flights, and a decade later, the Palaly Airport was renamed to Jaffna International Airport, reconnecting the Northern Province to South India and eventually to the world at large.

The Minister also said the airport will be developed in two stages, where expansions of the runway and related facilities will be completed during the first phase, while permanent terminal buildings will be constructed during the second phase once the airport attracts a significant amount of air traffic. The extent of the Palaly runway will be expanded to 3,500 metres, and it will have the capability to handle large passenger aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and A321.

Once completed, Ranatunga said the strategically-located Jaffna International Airport will have the capacity to handle direct commercial flights to countries like India, Australia, China, Japan, Middle East nations, and several European countries.

“The Government’s objective is to develop the Jaffna International Airport on par with other countries. This was also included in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto ‘Visions of Prosperity and Splendour’ as well,” he said.

Highlighting that India and Sri Lanka have close bilateral ties, the Minister said there is great interest in increasing connectivity, expanding trade and investment, and fostering people-to-people contact between the two countries.