Mattala Airport draws interest from China, India and Oman

19 proposals received by Sri Lankan authorities for the operation of Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport are currently under evaluation. Ports, Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunatilake confirmed that companies from China, India and Oman are among the prospective investors submitting expressions of interest.

The government called for bids from domestic and foreign investors to manage the airport facility in the Hambantota District, establishing a Cabinet-appointed committee to negotiate the agreement. Built with a loan of nearly 200 million US dollars from China during the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the airport opened in 2013. Organisers initially set the submission deadline for 8 June, but extended the closing date by 1 month to allow further proposals.