- Previous EOI process cancelled
- Fresh process to be completed by end-2026
- Awaiting JICA concurrence in bid process of BIA project
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has revealed plans to call for fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under multiple service categories for the comprehensive and holistic development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in May.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed that they had obtained Cabinet approval to cancel the previous EOI process commenced by the former regime calling for a passenger operator for MRIA.
He added that they had now been granted permission to call for fresh EOIs for the restructured project under several service categories.
Accordingly, the Deputy Minister revealed that they would be publishing notices calling for EOIs in May.
Commenting on a possible timeline for completion of the process, he said: “Our aim is to complete this process by the end of this year.”
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business earlier this year, Kodithuwakku explained 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, such as Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), passenger operations, cargo, hotel and hospitality services, and flying schools, and to make the necessary land allocations with a view to facilitating the comprehensive development of the MRIA as an integrated and holistic system.
Responding to queries by The Sunday Morning Business on the current status of the appointment of a new contractor to complete the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Terminal II project, Kodithuwakku revealed that the technical evaluation of the two prospective Japanese contractors who had submitted bids to serve as the main contractor for the completion of the project had been completed.
He added that they were now awaiting the concurrence of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the technical evaluation.
However, the Deputy Minister stated that they were continuing with the processing of the bids pending JICA concurrence, adding that they would be able to conclude the process soon.
The contract for the construction of the BIA Terminal II project, which involves the construction of a multi-level terminal, was valued at $ 564 million and was initially awarded to Taisei Corporation in 2020.
However, following the stoppage of construction work in 2022 due to the funding freeze imposed by JICA following Sri Lanka’s default, Taisei Corporation terminated its contract with Sri Lanka.