HINGURAKGODA AIRPORT SET TO BECOME SRI LANKA'S 6TH INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
3:37pm on Friday 19th July 2024
Hingurakgoda Airport, formerly known as RAF Minneriya and constructed during World War II for the British Royal Air Force, is set to be transformed into Sri Lanka's 6th international airport. This significant development aligns with the vision of His Excellency the President, Ranil Wickremasinghe, who has prioritized this upgrade to strengthen Sri Lanka's economic growth and enhance the aviation infrastructure.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, has initiated plans to upgrade the Hingurakgoda Airport, meeting civil aviation standards. The official commencement of the runway development project was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, today (19 July 2024).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Hon. State Minister Siripala Gamlath, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Secretary, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Aviation of Civil Aviation, Mr KDS Ruwan Chandra, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. G.S. Withanage, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Eng. Athula Galketiya, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd) along with other distinguished government and Air Force stakeholders.
The initial phase of development, scheduled for completion by December this year, will primarily focus on extending the existing runway. The current runway measures 2,287 meters in length and 46 meters in width. The proposed expansion aims to increase the total length of the runway to 2,500 meters to accommodate larger aircraft, including the widely utilized Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
The development project will be executed in three phases. The second phase involves constructing a drainage system, while the third phase entails building a new apron. The runway design, formulated by the Sri Lanka Air Force following international standards, will undergo review by the Road Development Authority. Notably, this runway expansion will occur within the perimeter of the SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, eliminating the need for additional land acquisition.
This project is regarded as the largest undertaking in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force and represents a significant milestone in demonstrating the SLAF's civil engineering capabilities. The initiative underscores the SLAF's commitment to enhancing Sri Lanka's aviation sector by constructing an international runway at Hingurakgoda Airport. A highly skilled workforce, comprising SLAF Airmen from the Air Field Construction Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana, will drive this ambitious project. The meticulous coordination of the entire project will be overseen by Director of the Special Project Management Unit, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva.
Following the ceremony, a conference was conducted at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, in the presence of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Hon. State Minister Siripala Gamlath, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd) and other distinguished government and Air Force stakeholders.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, has initiated plans to upgrade the Hingurakgoda Airport, meeting civil aviation standards. The official commencement of the runway development project was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, today (19 July 2024).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Hon. State Minister Siripala Gamlath, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Secretary, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Aviation of Civil Aviation, Mr KDS Ruwan Chandra, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. G.S. Withanage, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Eng. Athula Galketiya, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd) along with other distinguished government and Air Force stakeholders.
The initial phase of development, scheduled for completion by December this year, will primarily focus on extending the existing runway. The current runway measures 2,287 meters in length and 46 meters in width. The proposed expansion aims to increase the total length of the runway to 2,500 meters to accommodate larger aircraft, including the widely utilized Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
The development project will be executed in three phases. The second phase involves constructing a drainage system, while the third phase entails building a new apron. The runway design, formulated by the Sri Lanka Air Force following international standards, will undergo review by the Road Development Authority. Notably, this runway expansion will occur within the perimeter of the SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, eliminating the need for additional land acquisition.
This project is regarded as the largest undertaking in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force and represents a significant milestone in demonstrating the SLAF's civil engineering capabilities. The initiative underscores the SLAF's commitment to enhancing Sri Lanka's aviation sector by constructing an international runway at Hingurakgoda Airport. A highly skilled workforce, comprising SLAF Airmen from the Air Field Construction Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana, will drive this ambitious project. The meticulous coordination of the entire project will be overseen by Director of the Special Project Management Unit, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva.
Following the ceremony, a conference was conducted at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, in the presence of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Hon. State Minister Siripala Gamlath, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd) and other distinguished government and Air Force stakeholders.
