The Newly Constructed Iranamadu Runway Declared Open by The President
3:20pm on Saturday 15th June 2013
The newly constructed Iranamadu Domestic Airport was declared open by His Excellency, the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa on 15 June 2013 on the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama. The President was flown to Iranamadu in a MA-60 aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force Helitours made the first Landing, amidst of the salute by the fire vehicles of the Sri Lanka Air Force, to Iranamadu runway which becomes Sri Lanka’s sixteenth domestic airport.
This runway was earlier under the control of the LTTE, was initially built to accommodate light aircraft where a layer of tar was laid over gravel. However, when the LTTE abandoned the runway during their defeat, they had completely destroyed it by scoring it using heavy machinery.
The construction works of the runway started on 12th August 2011. The onus of this task befell the SLAF’s Rapid Runway Repair Wing (RRRW). Utilizing their experiences and knowledge, accomplished the project at a quarter of the cost. The runway which has a length of 1,500 meters and spans of 25 meters can facilitates the landing of the heaviest aircraft and helicopters in the Sri Lanka Air Force. The improved facilities in the airport would promote domestic aviation sector and provide access to Northern Province with the development of tourism in the area to contribute towards the present nation building process.
Hon. Douglas Devananda Minister of Traditional Industries & Small Enterprise Development, Hon. Major General (Retd) GA Chandrasiri the Governor of the Northern Province, Mrs. Roobavathy Ketheeswaran the Government Agent Kilinochchi, General Jagath Jayasuriya the Commander of the Army, The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, members of the AFBM, the Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Iranamadu Wing Commander MMTC Manamperi, senior officers and service personnel were also present at the opening.
Click here to feature article of the Iranamadu runway
This runway was earlier under the control of the LTTE, was initially built to accommodate light aircraft where a layer of tar was laid over gravel. However, when the LTTE abandoned the runway during their defeat, they had completely destroyed it by scoring it using heavy machinery.
The construction works of the runway started on 12th August 2011. The onus of this task befell the SLAF’s Rapid Runway Repair Wing (RRRW). Utilizing their experiences and knowledge, accomplished the project at a quarter of the cost. The runway which has a length of 1,500 meters and spans of 25 meters can facilitates the landing of the heaviest aircraft and helicopters in the Sri Lanka Air Force. The improved facilities in the airport would promote domestic aviation sector and provide access to Northern Province with the development of tourism in the area to contribute towards the present nation building process.
Hon. Douglas Devananda Minister of Traditional Industries & Small Enterprise Development, Hon. Major General (Retd) GA Chandrasiri the Governor of the Northern Province, Mrs. Roobavathy Ketheeswaran the Government Agent Kilinochchi, General Jagath Jayasuriya the Commander of the Army, The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, members of the AFBM, the Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Iranamadu Wing Commander MMTC Manamperi, senior officers and service personnel were also present at the opening.
Click here to feature article of the Iranamadu runway
