Govt. planning to resume BIA expansion project

JICA suspended funding last year

In view of the increase in tourist arrivals, the number of counters manned by the Immigration and Emigration Department had been increased to 25, a senior spokesperson for the Shipping and Aviation Ministry said.The official said that in addition to the existing ‘on arrival visa’ counters, two more have been established to ease the congestion.

Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva last Friday (March 31) visited the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to inspect the newly established facilities and inquire about other developments.

The official quoted Minister de Silva as having told the top management there that visa scanning machines would be installed next year at the BIA to further ease congestion.The Minister has further disclosed a move to allow the private sector to build facilities at the BIA to store 35,000 metric tonnes of aircraft fuel, thereby ending the CPC monopoly in supplying aviation fuel.

The SLFPer also claimed that the Japanese government halted the loan facility for the construction of the second terminal at the BIA after the Central Bank declared Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy status. The official further quoted the Minister as having assured the BIA management that the government intended to resume negotiations with Japan to secure assistance to re-commence construction of the second terminal. Minister de Silva said that Sri Lanka could go ahead with the project following the finalisation of the IMF bailout package worth USD 2.9 bn.

Sri Lanka defaulted for the first time in April last year.JICA halted the funding for Terminal 2 construction of the BIA Development project (BIADP). The move compelled the Japanese Taisei Corporation to suspend construction. Both Minister de Silva and Taisei Corporation have rejected accusations that Japan suspended the project following the minister demanding kickbacks.

Accusations during the tail end of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government led the senior SLFPer to resign pending an investigation. After the change of government, President Ranil Wickremesinghe restored de Silva ministerial status. (SF)