Badulla to get domestic airport

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Badulla is to get a new domestic airport to promote tourism and encourage agriculture exports, as approved by Cabinet last week.

Except Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, all the other provinces have domestic airports. A minimum of six hours is required to travel on land from Colombo to Badulla and the duration for air transportation is about 25 minutes.

Establishment of a domestic airport in the district will help in promoting the tourism industry in the region and to improve economic crops cultivation for exportation. The proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silvato establish a domestic airport at Bandarawela in Badulla Districtwas approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The price fluctuation of vegetables and fruits including big onions and potatoes badly impacts on farmers as well as consumers. The Budget 2016 has allocated funds to build cold stores as Sri Lanka’s crop production is based on seasons.

The proposal made by Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrisonto build cold stores in the Dambulla Economic Centre for selected vegetables and fruits including big onion and in Keppetipola Economic Centre for selected vegetables and fruits including potatoeswas approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.