Hon.Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism says that the government is taking steps to develop Sri Lanka as a regional aviation hub. He emphasizes that the government intends to improve the airline that collapsed with the Covid-19 pandemic, even better than before.

He was speaking at the occasion of the commencement of works   of the State Ministry of Aviation and Export Zone Development, after the Sinhala and Hindu New Year 2021.

He stressed that it could take several years for the aviation industry to recover, which had collapsed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tourism industries as well as the aviation industry have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The present government has already initiated a number of programs to develop this sector and accordingly the government has given its full attention to the development of Katunayake, Mattala, Ratmalana, Jaffna and Batticaloa airports, the Minister said.

Speaking on this occasion, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zone Development, Hon.D.V. Chanaka said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the development work at the airport is carried out continuously.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mr.S. Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the State Ministry,Mr. Madhava Devasurendra and Additional Secretary to the State Ministry, Mr. Sunil Gunawardena were also present on  this occasion.