Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has received 19 investment proposals under its Expression of Interest (EOI) process to commercialize the assets and operations of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). The opening of the bids took place at the Ministry’s premises following the close of the submission deadline, which had been extended to allow prospective international and local backers to finalize their proposals.
The investment drive, initiated on behalf of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), has drawn high-profile attention, with several leading corporate giants from the Middle East, India, and China among the interested parties. The government turned to public-private partnerships (PPPs) after a recent audit exposed the severe financial strain of the facility, revealing that the airport has accumulated a staggering net loss of Rs. 39.3 billion over the past six years alone.
According to ministry sources, the submitted proposals target two major operational segments. The first is Airside and Aerodrome Operations, which cover civil aviation activities within the inner perimeter. The second is Landside Operations, covering commercial, logistics, and retail opportunities across both the inner and outer boundaries. To qualify, investors were required to submit documented proof of their financial capability and prior expertise in managing large-scale aviation infrastructure.
The procurement process now enters its next critical phase. A specialized Project Committee appointed under the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) will evaluate the 19 submissions to match qualified investors with the most viable business models. Bidders who pass this initial screening will be formally shortlisted and invited to submit detailed technical and financial blueprints through a Request for Proposals (RFP) tender.
