Nineteen Investors Express Interest in Mattala Airport Development Initiative
July 13, Colombo (LNW): The Government has received 19 investment proposals under its Expression of Interest (EOI) programme aimed at attracting local and international investors to develop commercial operations at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has announced.
According to the Ministry, the proposals were submitted by a mix of domestic and overseas investors, including several prominent companies from the Middle East, India and China, reflecting growing interest in unlocking the commercial potential of the airport.
The proposals were officially opened on July 09 following the close of the submission period. The EOI process, launched on behalf of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., invited qualified investors to present concepts for a range of aviation and non-aviation business ventures intended to enhance the utilisation of the airport’s facilities.
The Ministry said investment opportunities were divided into two main categories. The first covers airside and aerodrome operations, including activities directly linked to airport services within the secure operational zone. The second focuses on landside developments, allowing investors to propose commercial projects both within and outside the airport’s restricted perimeter. Applicants were required to demonstrate their technical expertise, financial capability and previous experience in managing similar operations.
A Project Committee operating under the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) will now assess the submissions before selecting qualified parties to proceed to the next stage of the process. Shortlisted investors will subsequently be invited to submit detailed proposals under a formal Request for Proposals (RFP).
The deadline for the EOI had previously been extended to July 09 after authorities granted prospective investors additional time to prepare comprehensive submissions, a move intended to encourage broader international participation.
The investment initiative appears amidst the Sri Lankan government’s attempt to improve the long-term financial performance of MRIA, which has struggled to achieve commercial success since its opening. A recent audit revealed that the airport accumulated net losses of approximately Rs. 39.3 billion over the past six years, reinforcing the urgency of attracting new investment and expanding revenue-generating activities.
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