The Sri Lankan government has leased out the Chinese-funded Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to two companies, an Indian and Russian firm for the management of the airport once dubbed as “the world’s emptiest airport” for 30 years. 

The Sri Lankan government has leased out the Chinese-funded Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to two companies, an Indian and Russian firm, as ongoing financial woes force it to transfer management of what was dubbed  “the world’s emptiest airport”.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was constructed with financing from China’s EXIM bank for USD$209 million, but has faced several challenges since its inauguration 2013. It is situated near a wildlife sanctuary which has given rise to environmental concerns, and the lack of flights to the south means the airport is currently devoid of any scheduled flights. At one point the airport was used to simply store paddy.

With an ongoing economic crisis crippling Colombo’s finances, Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has since decided to allow Shaurya Aeronautics of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia to oversee the airport’s operation for the next 30 years. 

India's involvement with the airport has faced criticism from several Sinhala sources, who previously condemned any decision to 'sell' part of the island.

JVP leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the current frontrunner in the island’s presidential polls,  warned parliament in 2018 that transferring Mattala airport to India would be a threat to national security. 

"Issues with national interest should be considered than losses or economic benefits of the airport,” Dissanayake was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying. “An airport is important in military affairs in a country. It can pose more threat to national security and sovereignty of the country."

The airport was constructed under the tenure of former Sri Lankan president and accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was built in his hometown and named after him.