Sri Lanka is evaluating 19 proposals to commercialize the underutilized Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, while the government simultaneously strengthens regional trade ties through new business partnerships with China and the Maldives.

The government is actively seeking to revitalize the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport by reviewing 19 operational proposals, with a formal Request for Proposals expected within one to two months, according to Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku. The renewed effort marks another attempt to make the facility financially viable following the collapse of a previous agreement with an Indian-Russian joint venture, which was terminated after both companies faced US State Department sanctions. Constructed in 2013 with approximately 209 million US dollars in Chinese financing, the airport was designed to handle one million annual passengers but has struggled with persistent financial losses since opening.

On the trade front, Sri Lanka is intensifying regional economic cooperation. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Maldives Business Chamber have formalized a partnership to expand business opportunities across sectors including tourism, logistics, healthcare, and financial services. The agreement, signed by chamber leaders Krishan Balendra and Ahmed Amjad respectively, aims to facilitate business-to-business connections and investment flows between the two nations.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka-China Business Council marked 25 years of bilateral engagement at its annual meeting, with newly elected President Sampath Kumara pledging enhanced support for the Sri Lanka-China Bilateral Trade Agreement. The council intends to strengthen business-matching initiatives and attract greater Chinese investment in joint ventures combining Sri Lankan expertise with Chinese technology. Outgoing President Haroun Cader acknowledged persistent trade imbalances while highlighting recent achievements, including forums that explored increased use of the Chinese currency in bilateral transactions to reduce costs.

On the domestic economic front, the Colombo Stock Exchange closed Thursday trading with modest gains, with the benchmark ASPI rising 0.56 percent. Hatton National Bank reported quarterly profit growth of 0.3 percent to 11.77 billion rupees, driven by a 30 percent surge in net interest income. Additionally, Janashakthi announced plans to acquire full ownership of Continental Insurance Lanka Limited through a phased acquisition valued at approximately 5.14 billion rupees.