Sri Lanka, Feb. 5 -- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) recorded its highest-ever passenger movements in 2025, handling 140,614 passengers, the Airport and Aviation Services Company said.

The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation said this marked the largest number of passenger movements since the airport was inaugurated in 2013.

The airport also successfully handled 703 international flights during the year. Officials noted that passenger numbers have shown continuous growth over the past three years, with increased attention given to Mattala Airport following the appointment of the new government playing a key role in achieving this milestone.

Previously, airlines had been reluctant to operate flights to Mattala due to sa...