Mattala Airport - a repair shop

Plans being drawn to make the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center as a result of it not being able to achieve its target as expected for over the past ten months.

According to the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, Prasanna J. Wickramasuriya, the proposed plan for the MRO center is a vital part if the country needs to become an aviation hub in the region. Wickramasuriya said �at this center we can repair and maintain not only our own Sri Lankan and Mihin Air aircraft but also could provide the service to the other regional airlines - a money spinning industry,� �After investing Rs.209 million with the expectation of bringing revenue to the country is now being turned onto a MRO center spending even more money. Although it is good and profitable to have our own MRO center in the country, it is questionable whether foreign aircraft would come to Mattala for services or repairs taking a risk,� the sources added. However Wickramasuriya did not make any comment when asked whether the plan to start a MRO center in Mattala was to cover up the losses Mattala airport is incurring since its opening. Wickramasuriya he �You have to ask that question from SriLankan Airlines. I am not aware of it,�