Plane delayed at Mattala

25 March 2013 04:44 am - 63 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sri Lankan Airlines flight was held up at the newly opened Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday for more than one and half hours due to the bowser that supplies fuel arriving late, Daily Mirror learns.

The Riyadh-bound flight UL 273 took off from the Bandaranaike International Airport at noon, and landed at Mattala for refueling. Though the captain announced that the flight would be held up for only half an hour, the plane was kept for one and half hours.

According to informed sources, there had been a delay in bringing fuel to the airport. There are no facilities for storing aviation fuel at the airport. Fuel is brought to the airport from the tanks attached to the Hambantota port.

The issue had been raised in Parliament last week. United National Party (UNP) MP Ravi Karunanayake said in the House that Mattala was the only airport that did not have facilities to store the fuel required by the planes that land there.

Environment Minister Susil Premajayantha said fuel was brought from the tanking facility attached to the Hambantota Port.
“Bowsers are used to supply fuel. Therefore, a problem will not arise,” he said. (KB)

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Comments - 63

basil Monday, 25 March 2013 08:35 AM

Next time get the bowser to drive there from Katunayake. It will probably get there on time!

ramkumar Monday, 25 March 2013 06:55 AM

Now waiting for fuel, If an accidental fire broke, will they wait for fire fighters from, nearby port.

Kanishka Monday, 25 March 2013 06:57 AM

yeah, Mr Champika Ranawaka did a great service when he was Minister of Electricity. worth voting him.

Ed Monday, 25 March 2013 07:01 AM

If they refuel at BIA the plane would be overweight to land at MRIA after only a 15min journey.

pasel Monday, 25 March 2013 07:07 AM

Well done MR

Ranjit. S Monday, 25 March 2013 07:14 AM

Even our leaders need refueling for their brains to work.

Teron Monday, 25 March 2013 07:19 AM

Bad planning as usual...wake up those who are concerned....its very bad publicity....

indira Monday, 25 March 2013 07:36 AM

this is the true picture of the entire country today.

ANTON Monday, 25 March 2013 07:41 AM

HEY, YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN !!!

Mohideen Monday, 25 March 2013 07:48 AM

Failed State???

madman Monday, 25 March 2013 07:49 AM

who really needed an airport there????????????

chams Monday, 25 March 2013 07:51 AM

Mushroom development!

Siribiris Monday, 25 March 2013 07:53 AM

100% of comments are on negative side.What does it mean?

Mara Yaka Monday, 25 March 2013 07:54 AM

Right Plan wrong PLACE!

Neo Monday, 25 March 2013 08:13 AM

I hear this every where, they say, we didnt vote for them, so who has done it? maybe not Sri lankans?

ajan Monday, 25 March 2013 08:32 AM

hehehe in the world 1st time i watch without fuel station airport. what about sea fort? hahaha both becoming joke now

shaib Monday, 25 March 2013 06:49 AM

MR will start another project to put fuel line from Kollonnawa to Mattala.

China will give project loan.

MADANAMUTTA AND GOLAYAS(MINISTERS).

Sareek Monday, 25 March 2013 08:36 AM

Mattala airport map showing their is a fuel farm near airport.

Discombobulations Monday, 25 March 2013 08:39 AM

My words are useless--everyone before said it all!

Shan Monday, 25 March 2013 08:45 AM

Now Flight fuel will come to ordinary shops also, so that the airport can buy from them whenever they want

ranil Monday, 25 March 2013 09:27 AM

Is this a news???fresh shit for Jobless colombian Pigs!!

rif Monday, 25 March 2013 10:02 AM

to find out missing vehicle at ECB ? , if he appointed we will lose flight also

henga gahapiya Monday, 25 March 2013 10:41 AM

hena gahapiya ratay sali tika iwarai

Peter Monday, 25 March 2013 10:41 AM

I am sure people will think twice before using Sri Lankan Airlines in the future.

ashok Monday, 25 March 2013 10:46 AM

What about CPC Cannot They Supply??

Living the dream O/S Tuesday, 26 March 2013 12:22 AM

What can you expect in thirld world under developed SL. This will never happen in first world wealthy countries.

MODA RAJA Tuesday, 26 March 2013 01:08 AM

AIRPORT WITHOUT REFUEL FACILITYS , WONDER OF ASIA

MSNYR masanayar Tuesday, 26 March 2013 01:28 AM

1st delay pardonable, the next will be elephants on the runway !!

meenavan Tuesday, 26 March 2013 03:16 AM

Hope Mathala should not come another Nuraicholai...both built by Chinese aid....

True-Patriot Tuesday, 26 March 2013 03:19 AM

Time to appoint a Mattala Airport Ministry with a Budget of Rs 60 million per month and tax the poor people.

Ravi wijesekara Tuesday, 26 March 2013 08:52 AM

It happens every where in the world even in Changi airport in Singapore.You guys have something wrong??!!

Yuri Monday, 25 March 2013 05:49 AM

is only Susil ? what about other 200 ministers

Katie Monday, 25 March 2013 04:51 AM

This is crazy! imagine if somebody has to get a connecting flight he will miss it!

TJ Monday, 25 March 2013 04:56 AM

This problem could have ben solved if we had built the airport adjoining the hambantota tank.......... bad planning

dave Monday, 25 March 2013 04:58 AM

Susil Prema Jayantha is really useless minister in our country ever produced. He real worthless politicians.
Sri Lanka needs a minister like Patali Champika Ranawaka.

joytheo Monday, 25 March 2013 05:00 AM

hehe... apitamai wenne....

Duminda Monday, 25 March 2013 05:01 AM

more stories yet to come, just stated the story

Lankanboy Monday, 25 March 2013 05:01 AM

Wow , it was first time in airline history . We are writing history here.

Leela Monday, 25 March 2013 05:03 AM

Time and again Premajayanth has proved to be a good debator and a speaker but never a good doer.

DAVID Monday, 25 March 2013 05:05 AM

WHO CARE THIS AIRPORT AND THE NEWS. IT CAN BE USED TO RAJAPAKSA'S FAMILY.

Hadi Monday, 25 March 2013 05:05 AM

Better late than never.

Muba Monday, 25 March 2013 05:14 AM

hahahahahahaha, as usual nothing is complete,

Neo Monday, 25 March 2013 05:17 AM

nothing say, nothing to comment and never ends, coz we (citizens of Sri lanka ) are the fools for voting the.

Ela Malli Monday, 25 March 2013 05:36 AM

We? you mean you .. I will never vote for a racist

Dingo Monday, 25 March 2013 05:37 AM

It took off from the Bandaranaike International Airport to refuel at Mattala Airport where there is no storage facilities for aviation fuel. Typical Sri Lankan style.

Yuri Monday, 25 March 2013 05:48 AM

President should elect one PC for it. it could make people few million ...

Kamil Monday, 25 March 2013 05:49 AM

Like the Chinese say "Cheap things no Good, Good things no cheap"

ANTON Monday, 25 March 2013 04:50 AM

PUDANA KOTAMA KAAPI YAKA

Champi Monday, 25 March 2013 05:51 AM

The plane was going with a load of housemaids to Riyadh, so no problem.

One and a half hours is nothing.

raj Monday, 25 March 2013 06:20 AM

change the name "mahinda" problem will be solved :)

Crow Bird Monday, 25 March 2013 06:23 AM

209 Milions $ spent for what?, this basic facility absent but the commissions duly paid.

banda Monday, 25 March 2013 06:23 AM

Has Srilankan airlines settled the fuel bills of CPC? What is the amount outstanding??

ANTON Monday, 25 March 2013 06:26 AM

This cartoon displays typical Mattala airport, only one passenger is there.

truth is truth Monday, 25 March 2013 06:27 AM

that was why Abbreviation for Sri lankan Air Lines ( UL : usually Late)

kay parker Monday, 25 March 2013 06:27 AM

I'm glad more international airlines want to land in Mattala

Giann Monday, 25 March 2013 06:30 AM

Was this aircraft planned to refuel in the first place? why should a plane starting the journey from BIA, which has all the facilities want to re-fuel at MRIA? Worth checking!!!

Nadi Karunaratne Monday, 25 March 2013 06:34 AM

What could they organise in a brewery?

Gamage Monday, 25 March 2013 06:36 AM

Why do they need to re-fuel at Mattala ? Did they have that many passengers getting down at Mattala ? Idiots. Sure, the captains are forced to fly with low fuel and re-fuel at Mattlala. No logic, no respect for aviation rules standards !

mike Monday, 25 March 2013 06:42 AM

should appoint a Minister of MRIA to manage the new air port

Mara Yaka Monday, 25 March 2013 06:42 AM

IOCL - CONTAMINATED FUEL!

Hasitha Monday, 25 March 2013 06:44 AM

Yesterday two passengers got off from board and ten got on board

kamal Kulathilake Monday, 25 March 2013 06:46 AM

yeah MR Should appoint another minister...."Minister of Fuel Supply to MRIA"....

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Plane delayed at Mattala

Comments - 63

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