Sri Lanka’s oldest airport, Ratmalana, is set for a major transformation with the construction of a state-of-the-art Airfield Facility Complex — a project that will redefine how the country manages its skies.
Approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and awarded to Sanken Constructions (Pvt.) Ltd. at a cost of Rs. 3.04 billion, the new complex will replace the ageing air traffic control building that has operated since the colonial era.
The upcoming Air Navigation Complex introduces a new generation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) technology, including advanced automation, upgraded communication and surveillance systems, and more controller positions. Once completed, it will allow Sri Lanka to handle a larger volume of regional and international flights with greater precision and safety.
A striking feature of the project is the new multi-storey control tower with a 360-degree panoramic view — a first for Ratmalana. The current tower’s limited visibility has long been considered a safety concern, restricting aircraft movements. The new structure will eliminate these risks and enable safer, faster ground and air operations.
Officials say the facility will also enhance Sri Lanka’s capacity to manage the country’s vast upper airspace — which spans an area 27 times the nation’s landmass — and support more than 300 aircraft movements a day. This improvement could increase foreign exchange revenue, which currently exceeds USD 11 million annually from overflying service charges. (NewsWire)
