A decision has been taken to remove a boundary wall at the Ratmalana Airport, considering the risk it poses for aircraft, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
It is reported that the Minister of Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake has directed the removal of the boundary wall at the Ratmalana Airport after concerns were raised by the Association of Aircraft Owners and Operators.
The Association warned that the 09-foot wall along Galle Road at Ratmalana Airport violates international airport regulations and that due to its location, even a minor technical fault could lead to a major accident if an aircraft were to collide with the wall.
The Association of Aircraft Owners and Operators further advised the government to remove the wall and replace it with a simple fence that can easily break in case of an accident.
Taking into consideration the warnings, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to remove the said boundary wall.
The move comes after concerns were raised over accidents similar to the recent Jeju Air Flight 2216 tragedy at Muan International Airport, South Korea, which claimed 179 lives.
The Boeing 737-800 belly-landed on the runway, without its landing gear deployed, shortly after the pilot reported a bird strike to air traffic control, before skidding into a concrete embankment and exploding into flames.
Aviation experts have raised a series of possible causes and contributing factors in the disaster, including a collision with birds, mechanical failure, and the presence of a hardened embankment less than 300 metres (328 yards) from the end of the runway.
During discussions with the heads of the Civil Aviation Authority and Airport Services, the Association of Aircraft Owners and Operators warned Minister Bimal Rathnayake of similar risks at the Ratmalana Airport.
Taking into consideration the factors, Minister Rathnayake has instructed that the wall be removed following a proper safety inquiry to assess the full extent of the risk.
