BIA expansion resumes with JICA loan.

Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to re-grant the concessional loan scheme to resume the construction of the second terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. The project had previously been halted due to economic challenges. citeturn0search1

The concessional loan amounts to Rs. 170 billion and will facilitate the continuation of the expansion project, which aims to enhance passenger capacity and modernize airport facilities. Minister de Silva’s announcement followed a meeting with JICA Chief Representative Yamada Tetsuya, where the terms of the loan were finalized. citeturn0search1

The BIA expansion project includes the development of a new passenger terminal building, expected to be completed by 2024. The terminal will incorporate eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting, recycled water systems, photovoltaic power generation, solar energy harvesting, LED lighting, and energy-efficient glazing. Upon completion, the airport’s capacity will increase to handle 15 million passengers annually. citeturn0search4