Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that plans have been made to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport into an international civil airport.
He said a developed airport will encourage more foreign tourists to visit places like Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, and Dambulla.
The minister is also of the opinion that a large amount of foreign revenue can be generated from this move.
He said that several major development activities necessary for the handling of at least A330 aircraft should be implemented immediately in the airport and a field study should be conducted in this regard.
Extending the existing 2,287 meters long runway to 2,800 meters, constructing an access road to the runway, constructing an aircraft yard, setting up an air navigation system, constructing an air traffic control tower and a passenger terminal to be carried out under the expansion plan.
