Firms from war torn Middle East show interest in Mattala airport

• Companies from India, China also among them   

By Kelum Bandara   

Some leading companies from the Middle East which is now caught in the Israeli/ US war with Iran are among the parties that have shown interests in investing in the Mattala international airport, according to a Minister.   
Sri Lanka has called for Expressions of Interest to run the international airport in Mattala, Hambantota district. A Cabinet-appointed committee has been tasked with negotiating the deal with prospective domestic and foreign investors.   
The invitation is extended to both local and international investors interested in participating in the future expansion and commercial use of the airport.   
Minister of Ports ,Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilake told Daily Mirror that 47 parties had shown interst in investing initially, and among them were some well-known companies from the Middle East.   
Besides, companies from the countries such as India and China had expressed interests. The Mattala airport was developed with a nearly US $200-million loan from China during the time of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The airport is in close proximity to the Hambantota Port.   
Currently, the airport is used for chartered flight operations to bring tourists to the country.