Mattala Airport: Clearing Underway to Reduce Wildlife Risk

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, says that several wildlife and civil defense officers are expected to be deployed to the Mattala International Airport to minimize the impact of wild animals that enter the premises.

The Minister says that around 70% of the area surrounding the airport—which is located in a region with significant wildlife presence—has already been cleared with the assistance of the tri-forces, adding that the remaining area will be cleared soon.

Minister Ratnayake further noted that the airport, built without a proper business plan, has led to a debt burden of approximately 260 million USD and continues to face economic difficulties due to the lack of regular operations.

He says that SriLankan Airlines has shown willingness to use the Mattala Airport as an alternate airport for emergency landings.