Japan has confirmed that construction of the long-delayed Terminal 2 at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is expected to begin before November 2026, marking a major step forward in Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand airport capacity.
The confirmation was made during a meeting between Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka and a Japanese delegation led by JICA Senior Vice President Hara Shohei and JICA Chief Representative Honzu Shigeo.
The Terminal 2 project, which was previously initiated but later suspended, is being revived following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Japanese Government.
According to the Ministry, the additional loan facility required to restart the project has now been secured, while discussions with the construction company selected through the approved tender process are nearing completion.
The government has highlighted the urgency of completing Terminal 2 as passenger traffic at BIA continues to grow. The expanded terminal is expected to significantly strengthen the airport’s capacity and support Sri Lanka’s ambitions to attract more tourists and investors.
The meeting also covered Japan’s potential support for establishing a Vessel Traffic Management System at the Port of Colombo, with the proposal to be submitted through the Department of External Resources.
The restart of BIA Terminal 2 represents a significant development for Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure, with construction now expected to move forward before November.
