Financial Times

New policy to activate southern airspace
The government is working on a new policy called 'Ruhunu open skies' that is expected to generate more aviation activity in the south, particularly for tourism and sports aviation. Civil Aviation Authority chairman Air Vice Marshal Paddy Mendis said the government wants to revive domestic aviation in the island's south, based on the Koggala and Weerawila airfields.

The aim is to open up the southern skies for sports aviation, in which light aircraft are used, for both tourists and local enthusiasts. "These airfields are 2-3 hours drive from Colombo and are easily accessible for tourists and locals," Mendis said.

The government decided to focus on the south for the time being because of the need to generate economic activity to revive the long-neglected region and also to avoid security problems.

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