Sri Lanka Will Not Hande Over Palaly Airport to India -Minister

Palaly airport is a major strategic location when considering Indian political eye and Chinese involvement in Sri Lanka. Some Indian media reports say that India is eying to buy Sri Lanka's north cornered domestic airport.

But today Indian media reported that Transport minister has rejected said media reports. Further, it says " The Sri Lankan Government has made it clear that no decision has been made on handing over the domestic airport to India or any other country". 

Sri Lankan Transport and Civil Aviation minister Nimal Sirpala spoke to sputniknews.com and said... 

     "There is no truth in that report. We have no intention to hand over the airport to India or any other country. However, it will be developed in partnership with the Tourism Development Fund and the Civil Aviation Authority. We develop these airports not to hand them over to any other country," Nimal Siripala De Silva told the Parliament on Tuesday when joint opposition leader Wimal Weerawansa asked whether the government was planning to hand over the Palaly airport to the Indian Civil Aviation Authority as reported in the Indian media.

Read full sputniknews.com Article here...

Meanwhile, some Sri Lankan gossip media have given wings to said Indian newspaper articles while making it one of the developing stories.

SriLankan Catering posts Rs. 3.9 billion net profit

  Aviation Voice reported that Sri Lankan Catering Ltd

has recorded performance for the financial year ended 31st March 2018 with 26% year on year growth in operating profits from Rs. 3.03 billion to Rs 3.81 billion.

Full Aviation Voice Article 

Design and Win Airport Operators Logo

Now you have a chance to design a logo for Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) LTD and win cash prices. AASL is fully owned government company which runs airport operations around the country including Katunayaka Airport (BIA), Mattala Raiapaksha International Airport (MRIA), Ratmala Airport (RMA) and Batticaloa Airport.

prizes are not clearly described in the article but it says they are offering a valuable cash prize for the winner. 

Visit here for More details :- http://bit.ly/2xfCAxe

Plans to Develop Palali Airport as Batticaloa Airport by AASL

According to the Transport and Civil Aviation ministry spokesman, Sri Lankan Government is planning do develop Palali airport as a domestic airport. 

This development projects estimated to cost over Rs 1600mn. As per the spokesman Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) LTD (AASL) providing funds for the project and they may remain as Palali airport operator.

Presently Sri Lanka Airforce is operating Palali Airport.

Sri Lankan Government Plans to Cut Airport Charges

According to the study done by the Sri Lankan government, They are now reviewing airport charges at all Sri Lanka international airports.

As per the study, Sri Lanka charges about 30 % to 40% of airfare as airport charges and it is very high when comparing to other countries.  It is around 10% to 15% for most airports.

Further reports say that landing charges and Fueling chargers are also going to reduce.  Ceyleon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has monopoly to supply fuel and there is no competition. CPC is which is fully owned by the Sri Lankan Government.

These actions are taken to increase tourist arrivals and make Sri Lanka a tourism hub by offering attractive prices.

But This blogger believes all Sri Lankan governments have not taken timely actions to expand Bandaranaike international airport and now it is overcrowded.

As per this blogger reducing chargers may effect Sri Lankan economy via Airport and Aviation Services LTD and CPC directly.

Overcrowded BIA cannot handle even another 1% increased in passenger arrivals and departures. Therefore the government should take actions to speed up expansion projects rather than reducing charges without a plan. 

VAT Refunds for Tourists at Airport in Sri Lanka

As per the finance minister, Sri Lankan government has started new tax refund counter at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake to make the island a competitive trading hub.

Whatever purchase made by tourists within Sri Lanka is technically export. Therefore tourist can reclaim 15% tax which charges around Sri Lanka.

Eighteen establishments those who have registered to the department of inland revenue make use of this facility.

Institution those who wish to make use of the facility can register at inland revenue department.

Counter is in operation from September 11, 2018.