President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday declared open the renovated Batticaloa domestic airport and runway in the Eastern province.
State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi were also present at the opening.
Though the renovation process of extending the runaway length from 1070m to 1560m was initially started in December 2012, it was halted in November 2015 after the process were completed up-to 60%. The construction process of the remaining 40% resumed after a cabinet decision made in December 2015.
The remaining construction of the project was started on February 15 and completed on May 25. Air Force finished the remaining 40% construction of the runway and the new passenger terminal building with a material cost of Rs 290 million. This is one of the four runways renovated (Anuradhapura, Batticaloa) and constructed (Iranamadu, Mullaittivu) by the SLAF.
Ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament, chief minister of eastern province, provincial councilors, government officials and large number of SLAF personnel were also present at the occasion.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
The final rites of veteran broadcaster, writer, and lyricist Nirmala de Alwis will be held today at Peradeniya.
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