![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sri-lanka.jpg)
The Sri Lankan Air Force has begun work on a six-month project to turn Hingurakgoda Airport in the centre of the island into an international facility.
The main work will involve extending the runway from 2,287m to 2,500m to allow Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s to use it.
The $56m project was announced by Nimal Siripala de Silva, the minister for aviation, and reported by Sri Lanka’s state news agency. De Silva, said: “Our goal is to operate Hingurakgoda as an international civil airport, similar to Mattala, Katunayake, Ratmalana and Palali.”
The airport, formally known as Minneriya, was built during World War II for the Royal Air Force.