HIA will be a major economic booster

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Mattala

The progress of construction work of the Hambantota International Airport (HIA) is praiseworthy and the constructors have achieved a lot in a short period of time, said the British High Commissioner, in Sri Lanka John Rankin who visited Hambantota last week.

He said that over 70 percent of the runway has been laid and the work is progressing smoothly.

He said that HIA target is to attract one million passengers and this is a target that can be achieved if proper marketing is done.

He said the plan for the HIA is mixed with cargo and passengers and with the Harbour in the vicinity it will be a sound investment. The High Commissioner also said that moving out of the Colombo City is viable. "In UK too there are several international airports and they are successful."

He said that the UK too would look at investment opportunities in HIA specially in the commercial, engineering and supplies sector.

High Commissioner visited the Cricket Stadium, Seaport, proposed Asian beach site, hotel sites in the Hambantota District and the District Secretariat for a courtesy meeting with the District Secretary R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla.

Commenting on the Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa harbour he praised the manner the harbour being developed in stages.

During the visit the High Commissioner took the opportunity to exchange views and obtain background knowledge and information about Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) its activities and the development projects taking place in the Hambantota District.

HDCC organised a luncheon meeting and it represented by the President - Kumara Jayasinghe, Senior Vice president - M Alhaj M. Shaheed Usuph, a cross section of members - Lanka Fishing Flies Pvt Ltd, HNB & Seylan Banks, Vinseth Engineering Pvt. Ltd, Kane Apparel Pvt. Ltd and the senior management - Azmi Thassim, Ms. Krishanthi Weerasinghe, Fazlim Batcha of HDCC.

High Commissioner said, "I am looking forward to doing my modest bid to promote and build bilateral relations between UK and Sri Lanka and also we want to increase investment opportunities.

"Today, with the dawn of peace, we are seeing a great momentum in the interest to trade and invest in Sri Lanka.

The frequency of outward business delegations to Sri Lanka has increased.

UK is the second largest investor in Sri Lanka as well as the second major overseas buyer" the British envoy said.