First of all we need to increase the capacity and infrastructure facilities in Bandaranaike International Airport.

In 2999 Sri Lanka preparing strategic initiative to improve same six domestic international airports

I Am in Colombo Airport right now And I have more then 15 hours stay in airport but they are not providing any Hotel and any meal .. next time I will never choose Lanka airline because of Air Lanka staff in Colombo Airport ... I will personally inform Chairam of AirLanka Mr. Ranjith Fernando,
Thank you

Sorry sir. But they don’t care for passengers. Don’t waste ur valuable time

Sri Lanka has to pick the most important locations which are feasible for flight operation and upgrade those airports with mandatory facilities (shouldn't over-spent like SL-gov did with HRI).

Batticaloa Airport was upgraded with descent terminal a few months ago. Upgrading 6 airports it's not going to be done that easily because SL gov hasn't got enough money to spend on these. This may take some time but ministers are talking because the next election are on the way

Need for National Aviation Policy

Sri Lanka has 16 airports which provide connectivity to all parts of the Island. At the Northern tip is KKS (Kankasanturai). Moving southwards there is Iranamadu, Vavuniya, China Bay (Trincomalee), Thalladi (Mannar), Anuradhapura, Higurakgoda, Sigiriya, BIA Katunayake, Ratmalana, Katukurunda, Batticaloa, Ampara, Koggala, MRIA Mattala and Weerawila. Besides these sixteen Runways, there are over two thousand potential water aerodromes including Kelani River, Diyawanna Oya (Waters' Edge), Bentota, Koggala, Mahawella Lagoon, Tissawewa, Lake Gregory, Victoria (Kandy), Polgolla, Batticaloa and Pasikuddah. There are also many other helipads all over the country.

As one can see, there is tremendous potential for connectivity within the Island for citizens and visitors to Sri Lanka. So why is it not happening? Many think that flying is (1) dangerous (2) Unaffordable, and lastly, (3) When there are roads and highways to almost all parts of the Island that could be reached within five hours, why does one need to fly? .............

Not forgetting the most important obstacle of all:- It is impossible to do Legitimate Business in Sri Lanka!

Everybody wants their "Cut" in order to get anything done or you need to provide a job for someone's useless Relatives.

It's simply not worth the hassle - especially if profit margins are low to start off with. This is why no new Airlines have gone past the "talk" stage.

It is also why a lot of companies have no presence in Sri Lanka.

Nonsense...It is one thing to come up with a clear aviation strategy for the country but confusing that with the aviation needs of large countries like India and New Zealand is another. Domestic aviation is an area that we can leave for slow organic growth nothing more.

China State Construction Engineering wins Sri Lanka’s airport terminal deal

Oct 03, 2018 14:01 PM GMT+0530 | 0 Comment(s)

ECONOMYNEXT – China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. has won a contract to build a pre-fabricated terminal at Sri Lanka’s main international airport as a stop gap solution for passenger congestion until completion of a permanent building which has been delayed.

The state information office said the Cabinet of ministers this week approved a proposal for the contract by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The pre-fabricated terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake will handle up to 400 passengers an hour (about 3.5 million passengers a year). Construction will take 09 months.

The BIA terminal now handles double its designed capacity of 6 million passengers a year.
(COLOMBO, 03 October, 2018)

How much is going to spent on the interim terminal? any idea where it's going to be located at CMB?

Are there any renderings on how the interim terminal will look like?

Again China! bloody madness

CSCE website shows their descent construction projects : http://english.cscec.com/
But the website doesn't mention anything terminal project of CMB.

I wonder where does the prefab terminal is going to be located? Hopefully the prefab terminal will be located where it can be operated for domestic/LCC use after terminal 2 has been completed. It will be waste of money if they build and dismantle it after few years time.

Any idea which is the ideal location for prefab terminal?

Govt eyes Chinese loan for second BIA terminal

7 October, 2018

BY RAJITHA JAGODA ARACHCHI

The Government is now eyeing a US$ 550 million loan from China for the construction of a second permanent passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), since discussions to obtain a Japanese loan for the project have not been successful, the Sunday Observer learns.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ashok Abeysinghe said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been offering a higher estimate for the project despite a much lower estimate by the State Engineering Corporation.

“We are in immediate need of a second terminal and JICA gave us an estimate for its construction,” he said, adding that however, the cost is much higher than the local valuation.

“We cannot take an excessive loan as ultimately the Government will have to pay it,” he said. According to the Deputy Minister, the government is now in discussion with JICA to lower the amount of the loan. “If it fails, we will explore the possibility of cooperating with other other parties, hopefully, China,” he said.

Last week, the Government decided to award the contract to construct the interim terminal, worth US$ 17 million, to the China State Construction Engineering Corporation. At present, the BIA has only one terminal with the capacity to handle six million passengers annually. However, last year the BIA had handled more than 9.4 million passengers.

The interim terminal would increase capacity by two million and after the completion of the second permanent terminal, the BIA’s annual passenger capacity is expected increase up to 20 million passengers, according to the Deputy Minister.

- http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/10...d-bia-terminal

Revamped Tourist Information Centre opens at BIA




The 20-year-old Tourist Information Centre (TIC) at the Bandaranaike International Airport operated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau was refurbished and opened to the public recently.

“The TIC at BIAs arrival terminal is the first contact point with Sri Lanka for tourists. I cannot over emphasize the importance of providing an efficient, helpful and professional service to those who call over at this counter,” said Minister of Tourism Development, John Amaratunga at the opening ceremony.

“Their experience here will form the first impression of the country and its people. Well trained personnel complemented by the latest technology at the revamped counter will help project a positive image of the country and our hospitality,” he said.

Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sutheash Balasubramaniam said, “It is our mission to ensure that visitors’ have all the information they need to ensure that their stay is memorable.

“TICs play a crucial role in the destination management process and make a significant economic contribution to tourism particularly in regional areas by providing information to tourists on lodging options and logistics encouraging them to stay longer, spend more and experience more,” he said.

TICs provide tourists with the information they require about things to do and the unique products and services available in the area.

In doing so effectively, the officers are able to highlight aspects of each region, with information and anecdotes on the history, industries, attractions and talents of the people of the region.

Tourists are also welcome to pick up brochures, maps, guide books and several magazines which are freely available at TICs.

The Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau operates two main TICs, one at the airport and the other at its head office in Colombo. The Bureau also has a TIC at Kandy and at service stations along the Southern Expressway.

The TIC setting was inspired by Sri Lankan craft based on ‘cultural fusion’ to preserve and enhance the local craft industry.