Reconstructed Runway at Ampara Declared Open by his Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
7:36pm on Friday 22nd March 2013
The reconstructed runway at the Ampara Domestic Airport was declared open by HE the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa on 22 March 2013 on the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal HD Abeywickrama. The President was flown to Ampara in a SLAF Y-12 aircraft and he also witnessed a landing of an AN 32 aircraft at the new runway.
This runway was initially established in the year 1956 by a British Company to facilitate air transportation for the Galoya project and was known as the ‘Galoya Airport’ (VCCG). Subsequently the airport was handed over to the Department of Civil Aviation after completion of the project.
With the escalation of terrorists’ activities in the late 80s, this airfield was taken over by the Sri Lanka Air Force from the Department of Civil Aviation in the year 1989 and established as a SLAF Detachment. Flying Officer CS Sahabandu was appointed as the Detachment Commander and later Flying Officer HA Perusinghe became the first Commanding Officer.
The resurfacing and the extension of the runway started on 26th December 2012 to coincide with the Deyata Kirula Celebration 2013. The runway can facilitate the landing of fixed wing aircraft such as AN 32, Y – 12, 4R-HTO - MA 60 and helicopters. The improved facilities in the airport would promote domestic aviation in the Eastern Province and with it tourism in the area to contribute towards the present nation building process.
P Dayarathne Senior Minister for Food Security, Ranjith Siyabalapitiya, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology, The Governor of the Eastern Province Rear Admiral (Retd) Mohan Wijewickrama, The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke, Members of the AFBM, The Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Ampara Gp Capt KDN Kodituwakku and senior officers were also present at the opening.
This runway was initially established in the year 1956 by a British Company to facilitate air transportation for the Galoya project and was known as the ‘Galoya Airport’ (VCCG). Subsequently the airport was handed over to the Department of Civil Aviation after completion of the project.
With the escalation of terrorists’ activities in the late 80s, this airfield was taken over by the Sri Lanka Air Force from the Department of Civil Aviation in the year 1989 and established as a SLAF Detachment. Flying Officer CS Sahabandu was appointed as the Detachment Commander and later Flying Officer HA Perusinghe became the first Commanding Officer.
The resurfacing and the extension of the runway started on 26th December 2012 to coincide with the Deyata Kirula Celebration 2013. The runway can facilitate the landing of fixed wing aircraft such as AN 32, Y – 12, 4R-HTO - MA 60 and helicopters. The improved facilities in the airport would promote domestic aviation in the Eastern Province and with it tourism in the area to contribute towards the present nation building process.
P Dayarathne Senior Minister for Food Security, Ranjith Siyabalapitiya, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology, The Governor of the Eastern Province Rear Admiral (Retd) Mohan Wijewickrama, The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke, Members of the AFBM, The Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Ampara Gp Capt KDN Kodituwakku and senior officers were also present at the opening.
