Sri Lanka expects construction of a new terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport funded by Japan t is to begin by June – July 2026, with tenders now being evaluated, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said.
Sri Lanka’s Katunayake airport is now operating above capacity with the second terminal delayed for multiple reasons including the sovereign default.
Technical evaluation of contractor tenders is now wrapped up, he said.
“We think we can open the price bids by January,” Minister Karunathilaka told parliament.
“So, by June – July 2026 we hope to award the contract and begin construction.”
The previous contractor stopped work after building the sub-structure after the Japan International Co-operation Agency was forced to suspend its loan under its rules, when Sri Lanka defaulted on its sovereign debt, though the airport has the ability to service debt on its own.
Due to the delay in building the terminal, the airport is now facing severe congestion.
“As are stop gap measure we opened 14 check-in gates in a marque with private sector support,” Minister by January said.
“As a result we can accommodate about 10-20 extra aircraft a day.”
