Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today asked why the UNP was suddenly interested in promoting another International Airport in the run up to the Presidential election. the question was raised after the government took measures to develop Palali Airport as an interbational airport.

"The UNP staunchly opposed the Mattala Airport saying there was no need for another international airport, despite its location in a crucial tourist zone in #SriLanka. Why is an international airport being promoted now right before elections?" Rajapaksa asked, in a tweet, this morning.

The UNP initially dubbed the Mattala Airport as a "white elephant", as the airport could not generate desired results for several years.

Some of its warehouses, which had become redundant due to lack of activity, were used to store paddy.

However, the UNP-led government later devised plans to develop the Mattala International Airport with Indian assistance.