- Previous EOI process to be cancelled
- Comprehensive development of MRIA as integrated, holistic system planned
- Multiple investors to be invited
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has revealed plans to invite fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under multiple service categories for the comprehensive and holistic development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed that they were looking to cancel the EOI process commenced by the previous regime for a passenger operator at the MRIA.
A fresh Cabinet paper has since been submitted, calling for fresh EOIs for the restructured project under several service categories.
“The ministry has filed the Cabinet paper. It should be taken up before the Cabinet within the next two to three weeks. It will seek to cancel the previous EOI process and commence a fresh EOI process,” he stated.
Kodithuwakku further stated that the objective of limiting the previous EOI process to the development of passenger operations at the MRIA was inadequate, as the requisite surrounding infrastructure also required development.
Accordingly, it was decided to restructure the project by dividing it into several distinct categories and making the necessary land allocations, with a view to facilitating the comprehensive development of the MRIA as an integrated and holistic system.
“We have segmented the project into distinct categories for which EOIs will be solicited separately, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), passenger operations, cargo, hotel and hospitality services, and flying schools.
“It is not our intention to engage a single investor; rather, multiple investors will be invited to develop and operate within each of the aforementioned categories.
“Merely developing the airport in isolation is meaningless, we have to ensure that the surrounding infrastructure is simultaneously developed. It is difficult to operate the MRIA by just developing passenger operations; we must develop the other service functions as part of a cohesive system,” he said.
He further stated that although a single investor may undertake all categories under the project, such an investor would be required to comprehensively address each of the identified components thereof.
Commenting on the timeline for the commencement of the project, Kodithuwakku stated that upon the conclusion of the EOI process, the authorities would proceed to initiate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, adding that the completion of these processes was anticipated to take approximately 12 months.