The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to develop the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly will be submitted to the Cabinet shortly.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said the relevant MoU will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers in the next two weeks.
The Minister made these remakes during the special discussion held with India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay at the Tourism Ministry premises yesterday.
The drafting process of the MoU has already been completed. The development work of the airport will begin soon after the Cabinet approves the MoU,” he added.
The Indian Government has agreed to provide a grant of Rs.300 million for this purpose, which is expected to be used to improve facilities in the areas of airport terminal modification, electricity supply and utility and transit services.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay congratulated the Minister Ranatunge for the mandate obtained by the present government during the previous General Election. He also requested the Minister to arrange the pilgrimage to the sacred Buddhist site in Kushinagar, India once the BIA is re-opened. Minister Ranathunga expressed his willingness to so that during the discussion.