The two investor companies, from Russia and India, that took over the Chinese-built Mattala Airport, will finalise the agreement within a month’s time, according to Minister of Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Evaluations are ongoing, with negotiations focused on labour and the development of the airport under the know-your-customer framework of the joint venture.
Similarly, discussions on the sale of SriLankan Airlines are ongoing after shortlisting the final three investors, according to the Minister. Finalising the investors depends on the negotiations and how soon that would be completed.
Five institutions had submitted their interest for Mattala Airport and the selection committee approved the resolution presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation to entrust Shaurya Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd of India and the Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia, or their affiliated enterprises, with the management of Mattala Airport for a period of 30 years, as per the recommendations from the negotiations.
this India-Russia joint venture aims to manage the strategic Sri Lankan airport at Mattala, which is close to the Hambantota port managed by China. This marks the second India-Russia joint cooperation in South Asia, following the nuclear power project in Bangladesh.
The Minister noted that the three investors for SriLankan Airlines have been shortlisted, but the final decision will take some time. The three companies are further engaged in the acquisition process. AirAsia Consulting, a new aviation consultancy arm, under AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL), has been shortlisted along with the Sherisha/Supreme Global Consortium alliance with Sherisha Technologies Private Limited. The third is Hayleys PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates, with interests spanning agriculture to transportation and logistics.
Ceylon Today
