Transport Minister wants reparation from PMB

18 October 2015 07:44 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that he would seek restitution for the damage caused to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), due to paddy being stored within the airport premises, from the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), soon.

Speaking after visiting the airport, he said the airport, including the hi-tech equipment stored in the warehouses of the MRIA, had been badly damaged by the dust arising from the paddy stored there.

The Transport Ministry's media spokesman, Viraj Abesinghe said that minister had said that the MRIA, which he had described as a national need, should not be used for other, politically motivated, purposes.

“I could observe the kind of damage that had been caused to the airport premises by the paddy. The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was constructed as there was a national need for it. No one should consider it a white elephant. We will give a reasonable period of time for the Paddy Marketing Board to remove the paddy from the airport warehouses,” he said.

He added that he would inform Cabinet of this through a Cabinet paper.

He added that a special promotion programme would be launched to attract more airlines to the MRIA. (Piyumi Fonseka)

Comments - 9

Sri Lankan Monday, 19 October 2015 08:53 AM

Nimal S. should negotiate with Mr to start a new airline and shipping venture financed by Mr and his family, relations, friends and all his thieves and goons so that the port and the airport can be quickly get some business and activities.

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bond-horu Monday, 19 October 2015 09:05 AM

Thanks Minister, now you realizing GAWA palana work on cost of ours

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lkboy Monday, 19 October 2015 09:30 AM

It is your government and cabinet.

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gobbaya Monday, 19 October 2015 09:58 AM

what a bunch of morons via DM Android App

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Barney Monday, 19 October 2015 09:59 AM

20 to 30 thousand rupees per month from such an investment is most definitely considered a white elephant. . I wonder how and why the minister thinks that an area like hambantota NEEDED an international airport. The only explanation of course is the minister has mistaken self glorification of politicians as national interests. .

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TR Monday, 19 October 2015 10:00 AM

Is this guy Transport minister or Aviation minister. Who is doing whose job ?

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Mason Monday, 19 October 2015 11:35 AM

Just seeking media attention, as he does not come into limelight much these days.All know the paddy was stored for good cause.

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Sleepong Minister Monday, 19 October 2015 11:37 AM

Nimal Sripala must be searching for a place to Sleep...ZZZZZZ

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Perumal Monday, 19 October 2015 04:18 PM

MRIA is a national need; paddy is not! Pooh!! I say, Nimal, if you are so reluctant to get rid of the name MR then, better call it MR(International)Paddy Stores.

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