Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne yesterday categorically denied allegations that the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) would be shut down to make way for the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which would be declared open next Monday by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Addressing the media at the Civil Aviation Ministry, he said that there were no attempts to close the BIA, but it would be further expanded and its present capacity to handle six million passengers per year would be increased to 15 million by 2015.

Last year the BIA handled 7.2 million passengers, up from 6.1 million in 2011.

However, UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardana alleged that there were ominous signs pointing to the closure of the BIA, citing the Mattala International Airport as the main reason for the threat facing BIA.

Denying the allegations, the Aviation Minister said that the rumours were being spread by interested parties for petty political gain.

Jayaratne said, “They know the facts but are acting like they don’t know anything. They know the value of the new airport to the country, but their jealousy over another development achievement of the government is the reason for such preposterous allegations.”

He said that Mattala International Airport would cater to one million passengers per year with the opening of the First Phase and with the completion of the Second Phase, by 2017, its capacity would increase to five million.(by Maheesha Mudugamuwa)

Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)