His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, unveiled a plaque marking the commencement of a project that would see an extension and an overlay of the existing runway and a new terminal building and an apron being constructed at the airfield at Sri Lanka Air Force Unit Batticaloa today.

The Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force marked a milestone in Sri Lanka Aviation history by launching this project which will see the Sri Lanka Air Force undertaking the task of constructing a fully equipped  Air movement building while, the Road development Authority would undertake the  extension, overlay and construction of the new apron.

The historical occasion which started with the invoking of blessings by all religious leaders of Batticaloa was  graced by His Excellency the President of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha, Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayarathne, Senior Ministers, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywicrama, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority General Rohan Daluwaththa, Vice Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Ltd, Mr. Kamal Rathwaththe, Secretaries of Ministries, and about 400 special invitees which also included the government agent of Batticaloa and heads of various departments attended the ceremony.