The Minister participating in an inspection tour in the Mattala Airport said the airport will be converted into a revenue generating institution without closing it.

"We will not shut down the Mattala Airport, we will try to convert it to a profit making entity. Every country needs an additional airport. It is a further assurance to airlines as well," Cooray said.

The national carrier SriLankan Airlines in January decided to stop all flights to Mattala as operating flights to the second international airport in the former president's home constituency of Hambantota was a huge drain on the already heavily debt-laden carrier.