However, the project faced significant environmental concerns, and was eventually scrapped. The site of the proposed airport was moved to Hambantota, and a new Hambantota International Airport is currently under construction.

In the first phase, the Weerawila international airport was due to accommodate eight aircraft. The foundation stone for the airport was laid on November 19, 2006 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It would also scheduled to be the first airport in Sri Lanka which would have the capability of landing the latest Airbus A380 aircraft, and to act as the hub for the country's low cost carrier, Mihin Lanka.

Rs. 12.5 billion ($125 million) was to be invested for the first phase of the project, which was to comprise a 4000-meter runway and provide parking space for 14 aircraft at a time. In addition a customs building, large hangar, AASL office and other modern facilities too were to be provided. The construction was to be carried out under the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The airfield has previously been a Sri Lanka Air Force base, also known as Wirawila Airport.

The proposal to locate a new international airport at a location that was in the middle of a major bird migratory path, destroying thousands of acres of rich farmland with little regard for airplane safely has now been scrapped and the project relocated to a site recommended by the Green Movement of Sri Lanka. Weerawila finally files to Udamattala!

Ports and aviation minister Chamal Rajapaksa has asked the airports and aviation services authority to make arrangements to shift the planned second international airport to a new site in Mattala in the same district.

While most agreed that there was a requirement for a second international airport, the environmental movement in Sri Lanka was appalled at the choice of the site. The original Weerawila site had the following problems:

  ◦Marsh land

◦Area extensively used for farming

◦The Weerawila bird sanctuary is situate to the immediate north

◦The Bundala bird sanctuary (RAMSA site) is located to the south.

◦High density of bird migration between the areas immediately to the north and south of the proposed airport

◦As a wetland, a crucial area of food and nesting for birds in both sanctuaries

◦The area sarrounding the Bundala bird sanctuary is concidered to be the home to around 45% of the birds in Sri Lanka

◦According to the project report, the area is home to around 250 elephants

◦According to the project report, private lands in all of the Grama Sevaka divisions will be acquired for the project

◦Loss of firm land is  47.5 acres and the loss of paddy land is 1491.5 acres