Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector

A special meeting took place between Andrew Patrick, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Anura Karunathilaka, the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy. During this meeting, the High Commissioner agreed to explore both state and private partnerships to develop the country's ports and airports. He mentioned that foreign investments and expert help could be offered in key areas, such as modern technology for airport operations and managing airspace. Minister Anura Karunathilaka noted that several port terminals already operate with private sector partnerships. He mentioned that Hambantota Port is managed under a different model and that they are currently looking for private partnerships to run new terminals in the future. The British High Commissioner remarked that the Port of Colombo has top-notch resources and that its 15-year forward plan is very appealing. He also expressed happiness that airport development projects are being executed based on long-term strategies. Additionally, he pointed out that while the Port of Colombo serves as a commercial port, there is potential to develop it further to benefit the tourism sector. At the end of the discussion, Minister Anura Karunathilaka emphasized their readiness to strengthen partnerships with foreign investors, including those from European nations, with the goal of enhancing international cooperation and achieving better economic gains.