Colombo: In a major geopolitical victory, Sri Lanka will hand over the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota to a joint India-Russia venture “during the next few weeks” to run. Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has confirmed the handover on Wednesday. Earlier, multiple media reported China was also in the race to take control of airport operations. Sources claimed New Delhi’s strong diplomatic presence and Colombo’s earlier debt trap issues with Beijing led India and Russia to get operational control.
It is worth mentioning that the India-Russia joint venture was awarded the management of the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka in April. The USD 209 million facility was once dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to a lack of flights. “Action will be taken during the next few weeks to handover the loss-making Mattala International Airport to a joint India-Russia venture,” de Silva told reporters.
Indian-Russian firms to manage airport for next 30 years
Earlier, the Sri Lankan Cabinet, which met on January 9, approved the calling of Expression of Interest by prospective parties. Accordingly, five proposals were received, and the Cabinet-appointed consultative committee decided to award a management contract spanning 30 years to Shaurya Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia.
Mattala Airport, named after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was one of the major infrastructure projects of Rajapaksa’s nearly decade-long rule. Hambantota is the hometown of the Rajapaksa family, which used to wield considerable power before the unprecedented financial turmoil in the island nation in 2022.
Sri Lanka’s most controversial project
The project was funded through high-interest Chinese commercial loans. It was built at a cost of USD 209 million, with USD 190 million coming from a high-interest loan from the Exim Bank of China. However, since 2016, the government has been looking for commercial partners to manage the airport as it was making heavy losses. On Wednesday, the aviation minister also added that the development of the northern Kankesanthurai port with Indian assistance worth USD 69 million is being continued.
(With inputs from agency)
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