The Sri Lankan government has issued a call for investors to take over the loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located near a wildlife sanctuary on the southern coast. Opened in 2013, the airport has struggled to attract regular flights and has failed to generate enough revenue to cover even its electricity bills. Despite being awarded a 30-year lease to an Indo-Russian joint venture two years ago, the plan never materialized. The airport, named after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, symbolizes the financial challenges Sri Lanka faces, particularly due to debts incurred from Chinese loans, which contributed to the country defaulting on its $46 billion foreign debt in 2022. The government is now looking for expressions of interest from potential investors, highlighting the airport's untapped potential for tourism and strategic development. However, operational issues, including wildlife interference, have further complicated its viability. The site is also considered an alternate landing destination for flights diverted from Colombo, located just a half-hour away.