International media described the Hambantota Port and Mattala Airport as a Chinese debt trap. In 2017, the Maithri-Ranil government leased the Hambantota Port to China. India opposed the government’s decision. However, the Maithri-Ranil government did not change that decision.
Later, in 2024, Ranil’s government decided to lease the Mattala Airport, which had become known as the world’s emptiest airport, to an Indo-Russian joint venture company. That decision drew disapproval from the United States. The United States had already imposed sanctions on this particular Russian company that sought to lease the Mattala Airport, and Anura’s government, which came to power in 2024, did not implement the agreement.
After that, during discussions between Sri Lanka and the United States regarding Trump’s tariffs, American interest in the Mattala Airport became evident. Anura’s government then decided to invite foreign investments to manage the Mattala Airport. India and China have expressed their interest in this, while the interest shown by Middle Eastern companies in the project is a new development. Recently, the UAE ambassador in Sri Lanka met Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and expressed interest in the Colombo Port and Sri Lanka’s aviation sector. A few days ago, Ports and Aviation Minister Anura Karunatilaka spoke very highly about the interest shown by Middle Eastern companies in the Mattala Airport.
The government must have a clear understanding of the possible geopolitical battle that could emerge as a result of India and China expressing interest in the Mattala Airport. This is an airport built by China. India objected to the leasing of the nearby Chinese-built port in Hambantota to China. Although China has signed an agreement with the government to build an oil refinery in Hambantota, it has still not been implemented. India is unlikely to welcome both the Hambantota Port and the airport coming under Chinese control. On the other hand, it is difficult to believe that China would tolerate India taking control of an airport located next to a port controlled by China.
It is unclear whether Anura’s government is trying to avoid this Chinese-Indian battle over the control of the airport by handing its management over to a Middle Eastern company.
