An A330 Aircraft from Sri Lankan fleet did a test landing at Mattala - Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) on 29th Jan 2013 morning. The flight took off from BIA and arrived at Mattala Airport by 9:45am.

The objective of this was to test the readyness of MRIA for commercial operations in March 2013. The total movement was smooth and all navigational systems at MRIA were in order, as confirmed by Capt. Druvi Perera of Sri Lankan Airlines. He was highly satisfied with the flight operations and confimed MRIA to be ready for commercial flight operations now, from a Pilots point of view.

Derector General of Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed that his decision to allow this wide body aircraft (A330) to land at MRIA is proven to be correct by the smooth landing and taking off of the aircraft. Mattala - Rajapaksa International Airport is now ready for Flight operations.

Hon. Minster Priyankara Jayaranthne, Hon. Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena inspected the site to check the operational readiness of MIA with all the Officials.