Government Will Decide Jaffna Airport and Port Development Priorities – Minister Bimal Ratnayake

Sri Lanka’s government will make the final decision on what development projects should be carried out and when, even if India provides financial assistance for the development of Jaffna International Airport and Kankesanthurai (KKS) Harbour, Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake said.

The Minister made the remarks during a media briefing held at the National People’s Power office in Jaffna on Wednesday. (Aug 26)

Responding to a journalist’s question about delays in developing the Kankesanthurai Harbour and Jaffna Airport despite the availability of foreign funding, Rathnayake said that while India had provided a certain amount of funding for airport development, the money was insufficient to complete the entire project.

“The remaining funds would have to be obtained through loans,” he said.

The Minister said the government was seriously concerned about development but stressed that it was the government’s responsibility to determine which projects should be implemented and where development priorities should be placed.

He pointed to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport as an example of development carried out without proper planning by previous governments, which he said had resulted in significant financial losses to the country.

“Our government will not undertake development projects that could become a financial burden or result in unnecessary losses,” Rathnayake said.

He further stressed that regardless of who provides funding for development projects, the Sri Lankan government would retain the authority to make the final decision regarding their implementation.

Member of Parliament Karunai Nathan Ilankumaran and Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekaran were also present at the media briefing.