On 5th May 2025, 03 SriLankan Airlines flights (UL196/ UL172/ UL124) bound for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) were diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India due to adverse weather conditions over Colombo. However, questions have arisen regarding why these flights were not redirected to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) within Sri Lanka.
According to reliable information, flight operations at Mattala Airport have been suspended daily from 6pm to 6am due to a damaged elephant fence surrounding the airport premises. The fence, which is intended to prevent wildlife from entering the airfield is currently in disrepair, making it unsafe for aircraft operations during night hours.
This situation has highlighted operational challenges and concerns about resource management. The diversion of flights to India, instead of utilizing local infrastructure such as Mattala, has reportedly caused delays affecting even long-haul services like the Colombo – Melbourne route. These diversions also result in considerable additional costs for the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, which is already operating under financial pressure.
While the Mattala Airport has been a subject of political and economic debate, it remains a public asset built with state funds. Many stakeholders believe that, regardless of its profitability, it is the government’s responsibility to maintain such facilities to ensure national aviation resilience, especially in emergency or weather-related situations.
As Sri Lanka prepares for new leadership, there is growing public expectation that such fundamental infrastructure concerns will be addressed promptly and efficiently. (Aviation Voice)
