Video: SL’s 2nd int’l airport declared open

18 March 2013 05:41 am - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s second international airport, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) commenced operation with the landing of a Sri Lankan Airline flight with the President onboard a short while ago.

The Airport was commissioned at the auspicious time of 10.54 a.m. with SriLankan flight UL 226 carrying President Mahinda Rajapaksa, first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and a few cabinet ministers touched down at the newly laid runway.

It was followed by Air Arabia flight GO-508 from Sarjah and Air Dubai flight AZ 88-55 from the United States.

The MRIA has the capacity to handle one million passengers a year and the 3,500-metre runway can accommodate large passenger aircraft such as Airbus 380. This provides the opportunity for national carrier SriLankan and Mihin Air to forge ahead with greater strength and confidence, Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Geetanjana Gunawardana said.

Pictures - Sudath Silva

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Comments - 27

Mangala Monday, 18 March 2013 07:48 AM

Total cost of Dubai world international Air port , the newly build Air port in Dubai , was costed 50% of Rajapaksha Air port

pramo Tuesday, 19 March 2013 05:47 AM

very soon most countries will boycot flight's coming to our country,like how they have started to boycot Tea & Garment's
Gulf Air is not coming

John Monday, 18 March 2013 12:42 PM

When is the next flight apart from today's?

Ishan Monday, 18 March 2013 11:26 AM

what a stupid post.

Kalubanda Monday, 18 March 2013 11:12 AM

Father son and all the ghosts too!

M Ramzi Monday, 18 March 2013 11:10 AM

despite any good and bad, this is a remarkable achivement... as a sri lankan i am proud of it...
Chak-de-Lanka

Munashinga Monday, 18 March 2013 11:08 AM

Flight full of Family members... Who let the doges out???

Vicks Monday, 18 March 2013 11:00 AM

and... your money... and your childern's (in)ability to pay the 6% interest.

hSenid Monday, 18 March 2013 11:01 AM

Congratulations! Being a Sri Lankan organization providing HRIS solutions for Sri Lankan Airlines and the Airport and Aviation services, we would like to join hands with all Sri Lankan companies in celebrating the opening of our second International Airport at Mattala.

Dinithi Monday, 18 March 2013 10:51 AM

Even the Dubai airport's Terminal 3 cost 5300 billion US dollars. Mattala cost is 200 million us dollars. So your statement is false.

Dinithi Monday, 18 March 2013 10:46 AM

What a big lie this is. From where are you getting these numbers? Let me guess, somebody told you in your dreams?

shanthapriya Monday, 18 March 2013 09:11 AM

and my schools and its results.

Mohamed Monday, 18 March 2013 07:45 AM

Billion dollar statement!

Jay Monday, 18 March 2013 07:45 AM

Soon Sri Lanka name will be changed to Rajapaksa.

Wicks Monday, 18 March 2013 06:08 AM

My country, my hometown, my airport, my plane.
Jayawewa !!

Dilshan Monday, 18 March 2013 07:38 AM

Of course at public expense.
My name, your sweat !!

Ravi Monday, 18 March 2013 07:22 AM

One day this will be another Ali Anathgarya just Like Pinnawela.

malarvili Monday, 18 March 2013 07:22 AM

WHAT A NICE TO HEAR PRESIDENT LANDING FROM ABROAD AND OPENING OUR NEW AIRPORT. ITS PROUD TO SRI LANKANS

Kondebandapucheena Monday, 18 March 2013 07:19 AM

We do need new Airport ,but right now we need much more things than an Airport.what we spend on these Quick instant unplanned projects by taking loan after loans for the Future will remain as white elephant if not utilized wisely. Tax payer always suffer alone with Poorer

MirakRajBanda Monday, 18 March 2013 07:13 AM

Thanx for Shirani (Rajapakse) to choose the name which reseble Ave Maria!! or sounds like Sharia!!
Very funny name though!!!

MirakRajBanda Monday, 18 March 2013 07:03 AM

The Show begins Ladies and gentlemen!!!!

WAC Monday, 18 March 2013 06:56 AM

Very soon some flights will be made compulsory to land in Mattala like what they did to mandate car carriers to Hambantota port.

jayantha silva Monday, 18 March 2013 07:01 AM

If the motorway to Katunayake was'nt being built and almost ready , the old airport would surely have been shut down by now .

Ela Malli Monday, 18 March 2013 06:25 AM

Now you can close it...since no one will be going there

ANTON Monday, 18 March 2013 06:22 AM

WHAT ABOUT THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DECLARED CLOSED ?

Andy Monday, 18 March 2013 06:12 AM

cant we land any flights to hambantota port? a big biggg white elephant.

Hettiarachchi Monday, 18 March 2013 06:06 AM

What we need more than an airport is a better bus service.

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Video: SL’s 2nd int’l airport declared open

Comments - 27

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