Palaly Airport project to go ahead

By Ranil Wijayapala and P. Krishnaswamy

The development of the Palaly Airport as a regional airport is next in line under the government’s infrastructure development program for the Northern Province, Resettlement, Reconstruction, Hindu Religious Affairs and Prison Reforms Minister D.M.Swaminathan told the Sunday Observer.

Commenting on the objections raised by NPC Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said the government will go ahead with the proposed project.

Early last week, the Chief Minister and certain NPC Ministers raised objections to the project saying it would have an adverse impact on the neighbourhood. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, NPC Governor Reginald Cooray and NPC Ministers were present at the meeting in Jaffna.

The Palaly airport project will be launched with funds from India, he said.

Minister Swaminathan said there will be direct flights from India to Palaly and back, when the project gets off the ground. The government’s believes that there would be no hindrance to the neighbourhood or the fishing communities.

The Minister said a committee will be appointed to do a study on the environmental impact and people’s livelihood in the area.

“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the committee, will address concerns expressed by the Chief Minister and other NPC Ministers,” Minister Swaminathan said. “The launch and funding will be decided on when the agreement is signed.,” the Secretary said.