A decision has been taken to cancel the USD 85 million contract to Access Engineering Limited for the extension of the Katunayake International Airport runway, said Cabinet spokesman Health & Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Minister Senaratne said during the media briefing to announce Cabinet decisions that Access Engineering did not have the required experience to handle this project.

He added that it has been confirmed that this contract had been offered without the necessary tender procedures being adhered to and without transparency.

Hence, the Cabinet has approved the proposal submitted by Ports and Aviation Services Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to cancel this contract.