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Second runway at Katunayake
But will SLAF have to go away?
By Hiranthi Fernando
International civil aviation experts have called for the urgent construction of a second runway at the Katunayake airport-a move that could force the eviction of the adjoining Sri Lanka Air Force base .

The team from the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Asia-Pacific office was in Colombo for talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during which they also asked that all aircraft using the Katunayake airport be fitted with Mode-C Transponders, equipment that helps pinpoint the height and location of aircraft.
This piece of equipment also referred to as 'Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) helps activate a warning of other aircraft in the vicinity only if other aircraft are fitted with the same equipment.The Civil Aviation Department is reported to have given notice in 1996,to all those operating aircraft to arm themselves with this equipment.
The Sunday Times learns that the twin measures IATA is demanding will affect SLAF operations, because it appears that only SLAF jet-fighters are not fitted with Mode-C Trasponders.

Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody said apart from the four Russian made MiG-27 jets and 6-8 small training aircraft, all other Air Force aircraft were fitted with the equipment IATA was insisting on to avoid air-collissions. The Air Chief rejected suggestions that SLAF aircraft posed a threat to civilian traffic as they did not come within the terminal control area, but said the Air Force was buying the equipment which would be fitted to the aircraft soon.

The Prime Minister is reported to have assured the visiting IATA delegation which included Tony Leven, Dave Behrens and Dayanthe Athulathmudali that the two issues they were raising would be looked into. The IATA team had pointed out that the availability of a second runway which had to be separated by a minimum of 1.6 kilometres, was now of paramount importance, as now the available alternative runway was as far as in Chennai. The delegation had also met Aviation Minister Tilak Marapana to discuss the same issues. The Sunday Times learns that one of the delays in implementing the second runway project has been the reluctance of a local PA politician who was opposed to the acquisition lands coming within the purview of the project.

Soon after last year's July attack on the airport by the LTTE, there was a howl of protest over the existence of the SLAF base adjoining the country's only international civilian airport. Moves to shift the SLAF base to Sigiriya were stalled when environmentalists protested that exhaust fumes emitted from the increased jet traffic could permanently damage the rock frescoes.

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