The Government has decided to offer various concessions in order to draw international airlines to the Mattala Airport.

 According to Foreign Employment Bureau statistics, annually around 200,000 migrant workers leave the country for overseas employment. It has also been revealed that around 20% of this number are from areas close to the Mattala Airport. Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said that this information had come to light in an evaluation report at the Mattala Airport.

The government aims at implementing a system where these migrant workers depart from the Mattala International Airport which would make it more attractive for international airlines.

 The Minister said that Cabinet approval has been granted for this endeavor and discussions would be held with the Foreign Employment Bureau soon which would also provide special concessions to the migrant workers choosing the Mattala Airport for their departure.

 The Airport and Aviation Services Company has already commenced promoting the Mattala Airport and foreign airline representatives are already in discussion with local authorities. Minister Ranatunge said that the government intends to transform the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport as an active airport.

nn