Sri Lankan authorities are considering partnering with industrialist Gautam Adani-led Adani Group to manage the country’s airports, according to Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Tourism, Land, Sports, and Youth Affairs.
Speaking on the sidelines of a program in Mumbai, Fernando revealed plans to collaborate with the Adani Group for airport management, with negotiations currently underway. The Adani Group is being offered management rights for three airports, including Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, Ratmalana Airport, and Mattala Airport.
Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka’s premier international gateway, is named after Solomon Bandaranaike, the country’s fourth prime minister. Ratmalana Airport and Mattala Airport, the other two facilities, have also been included in the proposal.
The decision to engage a private partner for airport management comes amidst a resurgence in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, with 1.48 million visitors recorded in 2023, nearly double the previous year’s figure. India accounted for the largest group of tourists, representing 37% of arrivals.
While the Adani Group currently operates eight airports in India, this potential deal marks its maiden overseas aviation venture. However, the conglomerate already has a presence in Sri Lanka’s ports and renewable energy sectors, having secured substantial funding for its Colombo-based west container terminal project.
Fernando expressed optimism about achieving the tourism target of 2.3 million visitors in 2024, with ambitious plans to attract four million visitors by 2030. This underscores the importance of pursuing extensive development projects to support Sri Lanka’s tourism industry growth.
