COPE releases latest findings

13 April 2015 03:20 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There had been only 13,371 passenger arrivals and 16,712 departures at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala for 9 months from January to September 2014, the latest findings by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) had revealed.

This is against 5.3 million passenger movements handled by the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the same period.

However, officials of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd, who have been questioned by COPE had said the number of Aircrafts flying above the island had increased significantly due to the availability of a high standard airport in Mattala which has the accessibility for immediate landing of even an A 380 airplanes in urgent situations.

The COPE had therefore requested the officials of the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd to submit a report on a breakdown of international and domestic passenger movements taken place through Mattala International Airport and to submit a report on the aircrafts that had flown over Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the latest COPE report revealed that the possibility of widening the existing track in the Bandaranaike International Airport by 60m. The COPE had asked the airport and aviation authorities to submit a report on the possibility of developing the BIA to accommodate any bigger aircrafts in the world.

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Comments - 26

Raja Tuesday, 14 April 2015 06:45 AM

I am impressed that over 30,000 passengers (in and out) had used the Mattala airport within the short period of 9 months and more airlines are now flying over Sri Lanka, bringing additional revenue as well as additional backup security for airlines in distress, without having to rely on South India. If this trend is allowed to continue, I am confident Mattala would achieve the status of a major airport within 5 to 10 years. No major or small business can start with profits as soon as they commence, which is what the narrow politically motivated ignorant critics are demanding..

mahinda Wednesday, 15 April 2015 07:48 AM

take off your pair of distructive glasses and put on a constructive vision glasses to see 2020 year

de silva Tuesday, 14 April 2015 11:45 PM

We can rent out the tarmac to paddy cultivators in the area to dry out their paddy.At least you will have some income.

Nawaz Dawood Tuesday, 14 April 2015 06:08 PM

COPE has no relevance now. It was used only to sling mud at former government by the opposition and the west. Now you can do anything and call yourself good governess. How can minority prime minister rule the house under a proper democratic system. I wish the electorate will open their eyes and do justice to the guys who made a mockery of justice.

baba Tuesday, 14 April 2015 05:06 PM

rathmalana also a airport then why we do not use it. BIA is the only airport could be used for genaral purposes.likewise matthala has a wide job.

Aviasionist Tuesday, 14 April 2015 01:43 PM

There are enough airports in the South. Even hambantota ahd the Weerawilla airport. Why did MR had to make a completely new airport, a stadium and a Conference Center in the middle of nowhere?........COMMISSIONS

Jonie Tuesday, 14 April 2015 01:40 PM

JVP is the reason for everything. You people were the ones who helped MR come to power by calling Ranil a traitor when Ranil was trying to divide the LTTE and stop the economic crisis and he succeeded in both of them. He was rearming the Sri lankan Forces and when MR came to power he use those resources to end the war

warra Tuesday, 14 April 2015 01:27 PM

What a joke. This is the billions wasted by the previous regime.

sacre blieu Tuesday, 14 April 2015 09:59 AM

the end justified the means, in a strange way for even stranger people. May the gods save us from this crop of deceiving political people.

ralahamy Tuesday, 14 April 2015 09:21 AM

When a starving man is given a luxury meal, he either choke on his food or have suffer indigestion, due greed that he built up over the hungry days. This is what happened to the entire last regime. They choked on Public funds of poor Sri Lanka, and now they suffer from indigestion. Yet, their greed for more is not satiated.

jane Tuesday, 14 April 2015 08:51 AM

those who are apposed to mattala air port ,they are not willing to developing suthern of srilanka

M.khalid Tuesday, 14 April 2015 07:37 AM

In the first instance Mattala is a Prestige Project to bolster the Political image of MR. It had no commercial value but a total White Elephant. I was told by the Canadian Project Manager of the BIA in 1970 that the BIA at Katunayake is unnecessary expenditure and would be a White Elephant in the future. He explained that Ratmalana was the ideal International Airport which is just 15 mins drive from Colombo City and it could be easily extended on to the mash on the East and consolidated. Consider the daily transport of people and machines all these forty years to Katunayake and back compared to the same expenditure to Ratmalana and back . Also the many man hours lost on these journeys. The Air Force should go to Mattala and we should develop Ratmalana as the alternative Airport. Think about it?. Former SAMO of the Air Force. .

Raja Tuesday, 14 April 2015 06:48 AM

What about the Sethu Samudra project of India? Likewise the Hambantota projects are for the future welfare of the nation, which the foolish cant understand.

MightyAnt Monday, 13 April 2015 09:32 AM

For aircrafts flying over Sri Lanka, there are plenty of airports in India that can accommodate a A380. Who is COPE trying to fool or is somebody playing for a quick buck. Voters, please vote for the JVP.

Susil Tuesday, 14 April 2015 03:13 AM

Despite the said money wastage, this airport together with the close-by harbour/port can be an asset to Sri Lankan future

Ranjan Tuesday, 14 April 2015 01:44 AM

It is no secret that every SriLankan govt had a plan for a second airport. Some desired it in HiHingurakgoda others in Kalutara area. Now that funds were secured and one built we should learn to make use of it.There are many good proposals to put it into good use.

Lal Tuesday, 14 April 2015 01:03 AM

The passenger count shown includes those who went to Mattala from Colombo. Politicians included. Let us see the correct number of arrivals on international flights.

Daily Mirrow Monday, 13 April 2015 04:55 PM

without constucting this stupid airport they should have given a expressway to Kandy .this would have yeilded more profit.Remember kandy is the 2 nd city. via DM Android App

Somasiri Monday, 13 April 2015 04:55 PM

Well lionheart in fact the planes that flyover the Sri Lankan air space do have to pay a fee for utilizing the Sri Lankan airspace and it is understood that airlines are using Mattala as an suitable alternate for various reasons ... Nonetheless i must say that Mattala airport was not build as an alternate airport but as a primary airport which has been failure thus far .

nipuna Monday, 13 April 2015 04:39 PM

no one can fool every body every day. there is no increase of flights over sri lanka because of matttala, but during the haj season.it is evident that every year the number of flights (over flying aircraft) increases during the haj season.no one wants to use mattala for alternate airfield or their ETOPS airfield. they never mentioned it on their flight plans.

Dayawathie Monday, 13 April 2015 04:05 PM

Mighty Ant. Who want to vote for JVP ?. We know what JVP has done to this country. You guys are socialists until you get a few bucks. After that bye bye socialism and hello capitalism. Have a look at your past leaders.

Siri Monday, 13 April 2015 11:54 AM

Money has already been spent or invested, major infrastructure and facility is available to make use. present Govt appointed a deputy minister to use his abilities/skills to develop it and derive best returns for the nation. We understand that such deputy minister has resigned from his portfolio,instead he has to use all his expertise to make a viable project for the country by proving himself,then public can recon his capabilities and appreciate such services expected of himPl take appropriate actions for misdeeds had there been when the project was setting up during previous regime

Prasannajit Monday, 13 April 2015 11:47 AM

The figures they are showing are the number of pax who were transiting on the fights not the actual arrivals and departures. Whom are they going to fool.

lionheart Monday, 13 April 2015 10:15 AM

Because of Mattala the number of aircrafts flying over the island had increased???? What kind of a dumb statement is that by the bootlickers of the MR regime. This is the type of hoodwinking these people did for all those years. Do the planes that fly over the island pay a dime for the maintenance of the airport? Do we build airports at mega costs for planes just to fly over them with confidence?? The stupid thinking during the junta regime period.

nic Monday, 13 April 2015 10:00 AM

Another monumental waste of the Rajapakse regime - all in the name of development - so short sighted

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 13 April 2015 09:35 AM

No where in democratic world has such a waste and absolutely useless mega project undertaken by a moronic leader and an equally moronic public who remains continuously silent despite the billions of public money wasted.

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COPE releases latest findings

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