Hambantota port and Mattala Airport:

Shipping industry could play a key role

by P.Krishnaswamy

There are immense business opportunities for prospective investors in Hambantota and its vicinity as a result of the Mattala Airport and the Magampura Port that are coming up. The shipping industry could play a significant role, Chairman of the Shippers' Council, Dinesh De Silva said after a recent visit to the project sites.

The Council's tour comprised over 170 participants from member associations of the Council including Exporters, Importers, Freight forwarders, Logistics providers, Courier companies and Shipping lines, it has been reported. Participants were to see the development that has taken place at the project sites. The visit was undertaken last week.

The visit was useful and had given participants a remarkable knowledge enhancing experience and an opportunity of networking with individuals from different organisations, Dinesh De Silva said. "A steady development in the district could be seen due to the development activities taking place in and around the Hambantota port and the airport and this would play a significant role towards the country's economy.

Moreover, the trade could now exploit opportunities to promote the Southern sea port and air port "he said.

Head of Marketing of the Airport and Aviation Authority, Ms. Kaushali Munasinghe provided a glimpse of the project during the tour of the Shippers' Council. Sri Lanka's second International Airport, Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport, is due to be opened in March 2013. A significant feature is that the airport could also accommodate the world's biggest A380 aircraft.

The communication tower depicting a lotus is the first of its kind and is now ready for operation with all the required communication equipment already installed. The runway and the taxi way too have been completed well ahead of schedule, she said.

A Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft made its maiden landing at the HIA recently. A presentation made by the airport is planned to be developed in two stages.

Stage 01 - 1 million passengers per annum, 45000 Mt of cargo per annum, 30,000 Aircraft Movements per annum, ten parking bays for Aircraft, 02 aero bridges.

Stage 02 -5 million passengers per annum, 150,000 Mt of cargo per annum, 45,000 Aircraft Movements per annum, 25 parking bays for Aircraft, 15 aero bridges. Exciting Incentive packages await the Airlines coming into HIA at the opening of the Hambantota International Airport (HIA)".