India-Russia Consortium Secures Management Contract for Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport

The airport, located near Hambantota, has been underutilized despite good investment. The contract is for 30 years and the airport is situated close to Hambantota airport which is now operated by China under a lease. The airport contract to India-Russia consortium is the result of a very rigorous evaluation. 

Government spokesperson and Minister Bandula Gunawardena confirmed that the Sri Lankan Cabinet, following a call for expressions of interest in January, received five proposals for the airport’s management. A consultative committee, appointed by the Cabinet, unanimously recommended the joint venture for the contract, a decision subsequently approved by the Cabinet.

This initiative marks the second collaboration between India and Russia in the region, following the ongoing construction of the Roopur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. India’s role in the project extends beyond financial investment, encompassing training for local personnel and logistical support.

The Mattala airport, a flagship infrastructure project during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure, has struggled with operational challenges since its inauguration in 2013. Despite financing from the Export-Import Bank of China, the airport has faced limited commercial success, prompting the Sri Lankan government to seek external partnerships for its management.

The joint venture’s successful bid to manage the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport heralds a new chapter in the airport’s trajectory, signaling potential opportunities for enhanced connectivity and economic growth in the region