Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday, 9 October 2025 05:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shanika Sriyananda
The Government has decided to take some steps to make the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Hambantota, a profitable venture by granting concessionary periods related to deviation tax for airlines operating from the airport, and also to establish a wildlife office at the premises to minimise damages from wild animals to its infrastructure.
The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved these directives to attract more scheduled international airlines to the MRIA and also to facilitate existing airlines to continue their operations.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the proposal presented by the Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister to further extend the currently implemented exemption period for the deviation tax until 26 June 2027.
Dr. Jayatissa said the decision aims to encourage more airlines to operate to Mattala, noting that carriers such as Azur Air have already expressed interest in commencing services.
He recalled that the Government had earlier introduced the tax exemption to stimulate air traffic through the airport, which has been underutilised since its opening.
He also announced that the Cabinet has approved the proposal submitted by the Environment Minister to establish a wildlife office at the MRIA to ensure the safety of air passengers, airport staff, and airport infrastructure by identifying and properly managing such wildlife threats in advance.
This is also intended to maintain uninterrupted air services by minimising possible delays and disruptions in airport operations.
Minister Dr. Jayatissa said that Cabinet approval was given to establish the wildlife office at the MRIA mainly to prevent frequent damages caused by wild animals to its infrastructure and its operations. A significant cost has been incurred to the Airport and Air Services Company Ltd., to repair such damage to the MRIA’s infrastructure.
The Minister said 10 Civil Defence Department soldiers would be attached to the wildlife office proposed to be set up in the MRIA.
