Media reports suggest that Russia has expressed its keenness to get into a joint venture with India involving private entities to run the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in southern Sri Lanka. He highlighted the high number of Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, citing it as a key factor in their interest in Mattala airport’s potential. It is the first greenfield airport and the third international airport in the country, after Ratmalana International Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. So, why is India interested in getting into a private joint venture with Russia to take over the operations of MRIA? “Control over Hambantota airport (read MRA) will give India considerable control over how the port is used,” Brewster wrote.

Source: Forbes December 25, 2023 11:06 UTC