|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 17 August 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Proposed airport project at Matugama : Shot in the arm for tourism by Don Asoka Wijewardena The Board of Investment (BoI) is looking for prospective investors to undertake the construction of a state-of-the-art international airport in Matugama. The feasibility study has already been completed, and 4,500 hectares of land in Matugema, Itthapana, Parrigama, Pahalawela, Munamalwatha and Pallegoda has been allocated for the purpose. BoI Chairman, Arjuna Mahendren, told the "Sunday Observer" that it had already done the feasibility study for the construction project and investors would be invited to undertake the project and complete it within a set period of time. Mahendren pointed out that the project location in Matugama was an ideal place to promote tourism as it was situated in the vicinity of Beruwala/Bentara, a tourist promotion zone, where it would pass through the proposed Colombo-Matara highway. Minister of Employment and Labour and Chairman of the Kalutara District Committee, Mahinda Samarasinghe, said that the government had decided to relocate the Ratmalana airport in Matugama, since there were several acres of bare land within close proximity to Ratmalana airport, which could be used for more productive projects such as housing schemes, large-scale enterprises and technical institutes. Minister Samarasinghe said that the construction of the new airport would usher in a new era for tourism, investment promotion zone and a free trade zone in the area. Mr. Samarasinghe said that he had already instructed the officials to prioritise the protection of the natural eco-system, flora and fauna and the environment of the area with the commencement of construction work. "The most important thing is that many hidden villages in the area will be developed and I am certain that the unemployment problem can be solved to a great extent," said the minister. According to sources at the Katunayaka airport, the engineering work, avionics and pilot training programmes will also be incorporated in the proposed airport project. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
