Batticaloa Airport now under the CAA

5 July 2016 06:30 pm

The operations and maintenance of the Batticaloa Airport has been vested with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from May 31, 2016, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said in a gazette notification.

It was earlier under the purview of the Air Force

The ministry said the move was prompted by the increase in civil flying operations.

The Road Development Authority with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force is renovating the Batticaloa Airport at an estimated cost of Rs.1,400 million under the supervision of the Transport Ministry.

Arrangements have been made to begin flight operations to and from Batticaloa from January next year.

Civil Aviation Director General H.M.C. Nimalsiri said the CAA was in charge of four of the 16 airports including the Bandaranaike International Airport, Ratmalana Airport and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) while the Sri Lanka Air Force manages and operates the remaining 12 airports.

Air Force spokesman Chandima de Alwis said the SLAF provide security, maintenance, renovations, all air traffic services and ground support facilitates for all flight operations at Air Force airfields. (Darshana Sanjeewa)