Batticaloa Domestic Aiport is to commence service this week, after running only military flights for nearly thirty years.
The beginning of service comes almost two years after the airport was opened to the public by the president in July 2016 following renovation.
Service was delayed as the airport did not meet international civil aviation requirements.
The airport has since had a new passenger terminal built and runway lighting system installed.
Declaring the airport open for service the transport minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva said it was to expand tourism to the Eastern province.