Mattala Airport: Evaluations Today, 2026-by Michael Roberts
Source:Thuppahis
The purpose and the overall benefits/disadvantages of the Mattala airport project has generated debate over the years in the recent past . Thuppahi has presented several items on the topic and they are listed here in calendrical order.
The 2016 news item from Wade Shephard was/is typical of the hasty assessments — in part fuelled by the political backlash directed at the Rajapaksa powerhouse in Sri Lankan politics. So, Thuppahi is encouraged NOW to promote a more considered appraisal with long-term ‘eyes.’
Thuppahi has also been encouraged in this venture by brief email endorsements from Vinod Moonesinghe and Chandre Dharmawardena — personnel of critical mindand nobody’s puppets.
A: Wade Shepherd: “Mattala as His Handiya: The Story begind the World’s Emptiest International Airport,” 28 May 2016,
Cows cross a road as trucks transporting Zhong Ding Boiler Co. boilers approach near Mattala, Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, March 29, 2018. Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa spearheaded the project, taking Chinese loans to shower goodies on his home district of Hambantota — including a new international airport that still has just one daily scheduled flight. Plans are also afoot to build a logistics and industrial zone next to the port. Photographer: Atul Loke/Bloomberg via Getty Images
B: Brook Larmer: “Mattala Airport in China’s Game-Plan,” 13 September 2017,
https://thuppahis.com/2017/09/18/mattala-airport-in-chinas-game-plan/
C: Colombo Gazette: “Mattala Route for Mercy Flight from Wuhan for Lankan Students,” 1 Feb 2020,
https://thuppahis.com/2020/02/03/mattala-route-for-mercy-flight-from-wuhan-for-lankan-students/
D: WIKIPEDIA .……..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattala_Rajapaksa_International_Airport
