Japan has confirmed that construction of the long-delayed Terminal 2 at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is expected to begin before November 2026, paving the way for a major expansion of the airport’s passenger capacity.
The confirmation came during talks between Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka and a JICA delegation led by Senior Vice President Hara Shohei and Chief Representative Honzu Shigeo.
The project, which was previously suspended, is being revived following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Japanese Government. The additional loan facility required to restart the project has reportedly been secured, while final discussions with the selected construction company are underway.
The government says the expansion is urgently needed as passenger traffic at BIA continues to increase. Once completed, Terminal 2 is expected to significantly boost airport capacity and support Sri Lanka’s tourism and investment ambitions.
The meeting also discussed potential Japanese assistance for establishing a Vessel Traffic Management System at the Port of Colombo.
