Question 1

How many airports are there in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka has two international airports — Bandaranaike International Airport near Negombo and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport near Hambantota — plus around a dozen domestic airports and airstrips spread across the island's provinces. Not all of these are in regular commercial operation; some serve military or charter purposes only.

Question 2

Which airport do I fly into for Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Almost all international flights to Colombo arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (IATA: CMB), located in Katunayake, approximately 30 km north of Colombo city centre. The journey into Colombo typically takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.

Question 3

Is there a domestic flight from Colombo to Jaffna?

Accepted Answer

Yes, scheduled domestic flights operate between Colombo and Jaffna's Palaly Airport (JAF). The flight takes under an hour, compared to a six-to-eight hour road journey. Schedules and operators can change, so it is advisable to confirm availability when planning your trip.

Question 4

What is the nearest airport to Sigiriya?

Accepted Answer

The closest airport to Sigiriya is Sigiriya Airport (IATA: GIU), near Dambulla in the Central Province. Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ) is also within reasonable driving distance. However, most visitors to Sigiriya arrive by road from Colombo, as domestic flight schedules to these airfields are not always reliable for tourist traffic.

Question 5

Can I fly directly to Galle or the south coast of Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

There is no regular international service into the south coast, but Koggala Airport (KCT) near Galle and Weerawila Airport (WRZ) near Hambantota both handle domestic and charter flights. Most travellers reach the south coast by road via the Southern Expressway from Colombo in three to four hours.

Question 6

What is the IATA code for Bandaranaike International Airport?

Accepted Answer

The IATA code is CMB and the ICAO code is VCBI. The airport is also commonly referred to as Colombo Airport or Katunayake Airport, though its official name is Bandaranaike International Airport.

Question 7

Is Mattala Rajapaksa Airport open for international flights?

Accepted Answer

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) near Hambantota was built to serve as a second international gateway for Sri Lanka, but it currently sees very limited scheduled international service. Its use has fluctuated significantly since opening, and travellers should not rely on it for international connections without first checking current schedules.

Question 8

Do I need to book domestic flights in Sri Lanka in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is advisable to book domestic flights well in advance, especially during peak travel periods from December to March. Domestic aircraft in Sri Lanka tend to be small with limited seating, and routes can sell out quickly. Your Lakpura itinerary specialist can assist with booking and confirming current schedules.

Location served	Province	ICAO	IATA	Airport name
Ampara	Eastern	VCCG	ADP	Ampara Airport (Gal Oya)
Anuradhapura	North Central	VCCA	ACJ	Anuradhapura Airport
Batticaloa	Eastern	VCCB	BTC	Batticaloa Airport
Dambulla	Central	VCCS	GIU	Sigiriya Airport
Galle	Southern	VCCK	KCT	Koggala Airport
Hambantota	Southern	VCCW	WRZ	Weerawila Airport
Jaffna	Northern	VCCJ	JAF	Jaffna Airport (Palaly)
Kalutara	Western	VCCN	KTY	Katukurunda Airport
Kandy	Central			Kandy Airport
Kilinochchi	Northern			Iranamadu Airport
Minneriya	North Central	VCCH	HIM	Hingurakgoda Airport
Puttalam	North Western			Palavi Air

Airports