The Government on Tuesday resumed work on the second passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.
Work was temporarily halted following the economic crisis and sovereign default mid-last year and the resultant suspension of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan facility.
To avoid further delays, the Government has decided to proceed with the construction work using funds from the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., (AASL). The construction work is done by Access Engineering PLC under the supervision of Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. (JAC).
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva officiated at the resumption of construction work attended by Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, AASL Chairman Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri officials from the consultancy and construction institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister de Silva said that the Government has made significant progress in engaging with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and as a result of these fruitful discussions, Japan and JICA have decided to release loan facilities to support the country’s development process.
He said that the construction of BIA’s second terminal has been given top priority with the aid of these facilitations.
The Minister also revealed that a special Cabinet approval was obtained for Rs. 500 million funding from AASL.