Hambanthota: Sri Lankan government yesterday abandoned the proposed project to build the second international airport in the country highlighting certain concerns raised by environmentalists and paddy farmers in the Weeravila area.

The government announced that considering an appeal made by the people of the Weeravila area to shift the proposed international airport to another location, the Minister of Ports and Aviation, Chamal Rajapaksa has directed the relevant authorities to divert the intended project to Maththala area in the Hambantota district.