BIA Archives - Newswire

Sri Lanka launches Rs. 15 billion loan-free upgrade of BIA Terminal 1

On: June 16, 2026

The government has launched a Rs. 15 billion project to fully renovate Terminal 1 at the Bandaranaike International Airport inContinue Reading

Aviation Minister reviews BIA expansion plans to boost capacity

On: June 16, 2026

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake has reviewed ongoing and proposed development projects at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA),Continue Reading

Cleaning of drainage canals begins to address BIA access flooding

On: June 5, 2026

Cleaning and capacity‑enhancement of drainage canals around the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake commenced on Thursday (04), as part ofContinue Reading

13 Chinese nationals nabbed at BIA with Rs. 28 Mn worth of cigarettes

On: June 2, 2026

Thirteen Chinese nationals have been taken into custody at the Katunayake Airport after officials seized a large stock of foreignContinue Reading

Katunayake Airport–Makumbura luxury bus service resumes

On: June 1, 2026

The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation announced today that the luxury bus service between the Bandaranaike International Airport inContinue Reading

14 Chinese nationals intercepted at BIA with Rs. 20.7M worth of cigarettes

On: May 28, 2026

Sri Lanka Customs officers at Katunayake Airport (BIA) have intercepted 14 Chinese nationals attempting to smuggle foreign cigarettes valued atContinue Reading

Three Chinese nationals arrested with Rs. 6.6 Mn worth of cigarettes at BIA

On: May 25, 2026

Customs officers at Katunayake Airport have arrested three Chinese businessmen for attempting to smuggle a large stock of foreign‑made cigarettesContinue Reading

Adverse weather : At least 06 flights diverted from Katunayake to Mattala

On: May 22, 2026

Several aircraft bound for the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake were diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport due to prevailingContinue Reading

Three Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with smuggled phones, batteries

On: May 20, 2026

Customs officers at the Katunayake Airport arrested three Chinese nationals on Tuesday (19) while attempting to smuggle in a largeContinue Reading

Sri Lankan passengers nabbed smuggling Rs. 140 Million worth of Kush

On: May 18, 2026

Customs Narcotics Control officers at the Katunayake Airport today (18) arrested two Sri Lankan passengers attempting to smuggle a largeContinue Reading

Indian passenger arrested at BIA with Rs. 5 Mn worth of Cigarettes

On: May 15, 2026

Sri Lanka Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have intercepted an Indian national attempting to smuggle foreign cigarettesContinue Reading

Indian geologist arrested at BIA with cocaine worth Rs. 108 million

On: May 15, 2026

An Indian national has been arrested at the Katunayake Airport after Sri Lanka Customs officers uncovered 2,150 grams of cocaineContinue Reading

Indian national arrested at BIA with Rs. 43.8 Mn worth of Marijuana

On: May 13, 2026

Sri Lanka Customs officers arrested a 29‑year‑old Indian national after seizing 4.389 kilos of marijuana/hashish concealed in his luggage. TheContinue Reading

Chinese national arrested at BIA with Rs. 35 Mn cigarette haul

On: April 20, 2026

Customs officials at the Katunayake Airport arrested a 35‑year‑old Chinese national today (20) after he attempted to smuggle nearly 230,000Continue Reading

Two Indonesians arrested at BIA with Rs. 67 Mn Kush consignment

On: April 20, 2026

Police Narcotics Division officers at the Katunyake Airport arrested two Indonesian nationals early today (20) while attempting to smuggle aContinue Reading