Construction of the country's second International Airport commences today at Mattala in the Hambantota district.

The new airport will be constructed at a cost of US$ 200 million and the People's Republic of China is financially assisting the project.

According to the Ports and Aviation Ministry, the construction of the airport will be completed in two phases.

All basic facilities including runways, taxiways and parking facilities will be completed in the first phase to be completed by 2011.

All other airport and aviation related facilities will be completed in the second phase. These include servicing and repairing center for aircraft, hotels, pilot training center, maintenance hub, private jet parking and technical training centers.

The government plans to commission the airport by the end of 2011 and land the first flight by December 2011.