Dilrook Kannangara

FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Jaffna campaign was a total flop.. Apart from the massive contingent traveled from Colombo, the participants were not many. However, he didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t forget to promise the impossible. The man who refused to budge High Security Zones (HSZs) a few years ago is now promising to move HSZs and convert the Palaly Air Force base into an international airport. Obviously the people of Jaffna didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take him seriously.

Still his promise is not totally unfounded. During Sirima Bandaranaike time there was an international airport in Palaly. It operated airlines to and from India. It was never intended to do more than that. The airport was closed for international operations when war broke out. Since the war has ended, Palaly has assumed new significance. What are the benefits and costs of reconverting Palaly into an international airport?

Firstly, the requirements of the Northern population have drastically changed since the 1970s. In the 1970s their main travel requirement was to India. Not any more. With a Tamil Diaspora of over a million in Canada, Europe, USA and Australia, mostly from the North, their main destinations are these countries. Therefore an international airport in Palaly will not benefit them at all.

Due to strategic reasons it is not possible to convert the Palaly airport to cater to international carriers apart from those traveling to and from India. If international air routes are studied, it is clear that unless those traveling to India, no airline serving Sri Lanka flies over India. Changing these air routes is a long process and it is very unlikely that Palaly can have an international airport. Instead what it can have is an airport that can cater only to Sri Lanka and India. All international travel from Palaly will be routed through India. This is a national crime on Sri Lanka as the importance of Katunayake will reduce while Indian airports will gain more business. Vital foreign exchange that ought to come to Sri Lanka will flow to India.

There is another grave risk of security. At the moment Palaly security is in good hands of the Sri Lanka Army and the Air Force. Once it is converted to an international airport, its security will be in the hands of civil authorities. These authorities will be less stringent on security. Further, since they would be sourced from areas closer to Palaly, their allegiance to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan national interests will be less. It is no fault of theirs. It is the result of 62 years of racist politics that unfortunately dominated and still dominate the North. Driven by these political theories, some officials severely influenced by this dogma tend to support violence, terrorism and separatism.

Reason number three is economics. Given the small population in Jaffna and the distance to facilities and attractions, the number of international travelers using the proposed Palaly international airport will be small. It may not be economically feasible to operate it. Subsidizing its operation is another national crime which means taxpayers will be bearing the cost of the blunder. This is further aggravated when considering the loss Sri Lanka suffers due to loss of business to India because a number of travelers will go to India for their international departures (and arrivals) instead of using Katunayake.

All in all the petty election promise made by Desperate Fonseka is a nonstarter. Even if he is elected he will ensure no such nonsense takes place which will be a financial loss for the country and will also pose a security threat.