Sri Lanka accepts India’s offer to develop Jaffna International Airport

Airport, housing, and other infra projects are in continuation of India’s people-oriented development cooperation with Sri Lanka, for which New Delhi has extended funds worth $3.5 billion

New Delhi:  In a move set to bolster economic ties and connectivity between India and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa-led government has accepted New Delhi’s assistance to develop the Jaffna International Airport.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers, on 19 February, approved a proposal sent by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to Colombo’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry.

According to reports, India and Sri Lanka will now sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Jaffna International Airport. The newly appointed government under PM Rajapaksa has already taken proactive steps to develop the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly. The work commenced has allowed operations of regional international flights from the airport. 

The proposal to develop the airport sent by the Indian government to Sri Lankan Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also includes New Delhi agreeing to provide a grant of Rs 300 million (Sri Lankan) to Colombo. The grant is expected to be used to improve facilities in the areas of airport terminal modification, electricity supply, utility services, and transit services.

“This will not only help in strengthening connectivity with India and other Asian nations but also deepen economic ties with PM Modi’s government. India has taken huge interest in assisting our government’s plan to develop infrastructure, roads, townships and other projects,” a government official from Colombo, told The News21 on phone.

India to construct housing projects and assist in vocational training 

Adding further the officer said that apart from Jaffna airport, India recently has also started work on a massive housing project in the Hatton region. “India will be constructing 14,000 houses, auditorium, a multipurpose building in the plantation areas of Hatton for estate workers,” the officer informed. 

As per reports, New Delhi has availed a grant of Rs 199 million for the project, including the up-gradation of the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre (TVTC). The government of India is also ensuring the supply of machinery, equipment, and tools for the new courses, together with furniture and vehicles for the center. Completion of the project will ensure that a large number of Sri Lankan youths are successfully trained as skilled workers with suitable operational and functional skills. 

The people-oriented projects between India and Sri Lanka are in continuation of PM Modi’s overall commitment to assist his counterpart Rajapaksa. New Delhi has already extended funds worth $ 3.5 billion to Colombo for various development projects.