– Sri Lanka has launched a drive to attract local and foreign investors to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as part of efforts to revive the aviation sector and boost economic growth in the country’s south.

The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, acting on behalf of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for a range of commercial opportunities at the airport.The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) will facilitate engagement with prospective investors and stakeholders for the initiative.Authorities said the investment drive aims to unlock the untapped potential of the Hambantota airport, which was inaugurated more than a decade ago, and position it as a hub for tourism, logistics and aviation-related industries.

The EOI invitation has been divided into two categories — Airside/Aerodrome Operations, covering civil airport operations within the inner perimeter, and Landside Operations, which include activities within both the inner and outer perimeters of the airport Investment opportunities on offer include cargo services, logistics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, aircraft spares manufacturing, industrial parks for manufacturing and warehousing, renewable energy projects, and hospitality and resort developments.

Officials highlighted the airport’s proximity to the Hambantota Port and major international shipping routes as a strategic advantage for integrated air-sea connectivity.

The government is offering flexible investment models, including joint ventures, public-private partnerships and direct investments, aimed at attracting a broad range of investors.EOI documents are available free of charge from April 27 to June 8, 2026, on working days between 9.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Interested parties may obtain documents from the Office of the Head of Commercial & Properties at Bandaranaike International Airport or download them from Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka.

A proposal briefing and site visit to MRIA has been scheduled for May 22, 2026.The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to attract foreign direct investment and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the global aviation industry.