The Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) has directed the relevant authorities to submit a report on the possibilities of developing the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake as a spacious airport that could accommodate even the largest aircraft such as an A 380.

The Civil Aviation Authority had stated that its engineers were exploring the widening of the existing runway up to 60 metres.

Meanwhile, the new government took a decision to cancel the USD 85 million contract to Access Engineering Limited for the extension of the Katunayake International Airport runway, according to a recent statement by Cabinet spokesman Health & Indigenous Medicines Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

During a media briefing to announce Cabinet decisions, Minister Senaratne said 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 any transparency.

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

According to a report to the Civil Aviation Authority, the number of aircraft flying over Sri Lanka has improved significantly due to the availability of a high standard airport in Mattala which has the accessibility for immediate landing even for an A380 plane under emergency situations.

COPE has directed the Civil Aviation Authority to submit a certified report to the Committee to prove this fact.

While the Katunayake International Airport has handled 7.3 million passengers during 2013, it has handled 5.8 million passengers during the first nine months of the same year.