The Sri Lankan government has unveiled plans to revamp the Hingurakgoda Domestic Airport, a historic airfield with roots dating back to World War II.

Originally known as RAF Minneriya, the airport served as a strategic base for the Royal Air Force of England during the war.

Now, the government aims to elevate this antiquated facility into a bustling international airport, poised to drive economic growth and connectivity.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation said that the 2024 budget allocates a substantial sum of 2 billion rupees for the initial construction and development activities at Hingurakgoda Airport.

The first phase of development will focus on extending the existing runway. Currently measuring 2287 meters in length and 46 meters in width, the runway will be expanded to a total length of 2500 meters.

This enhancement will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including the popular Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 models.

The comprehensive modernization project is estimated to cost a total of 17 billion rupees.