Talk:Ratmalana Airport

Article Title
User:Chamath237 has re-named this article from Ratmalana Airport to Colombo Airport without any explanation. I am going to revert. The main policy used to determine an article's title is WP:COMMONNAME. User:Chamath237 / User:Jpchamathdj should establish the common name here before re-naming the article.

A quick Google search for "Colombo Airport" shows that most references to "Colombo Airport" are in fact referring to Bandaranaike International Airport.-- obi2canibe talk contr 12:44, 1 December 2013 (UTC)

Protected edit request on 26 November 2015
Please change the website to http://www.airport.lk/rma

112.134.1.250 (talk) 10:15, 26 November 2015 (UTC)
 * ✅ &mdash; Martin (MSGJ · talk) 14:39, 27 November 2015 (UTC)

Protected edit request on 12 December 2015

 * Can you reomve File:Colombo Airport Ratmalana Airside View.jpg as it was deleted from commons 9 November 2015 as probable cpy vio - Cheers KylieTastic (talk) 13:27, 12 December 2015 (UTC)

KylieTastic (talk) 13:27, 12 December 2015 (UTC)


 * Link removed. MilborneOne (talk) 18:02, 12 December 2015 (UTC)

Requested move 8 October 2019

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion. 

The result of the move request was: no consensus to move the page to the proposed title at this time, per the discussion below. Dekimasu よ! 02:52, 19 October 2019 (UTC)

Ratmalana Airport → Ratmalana International Airport – Airport officially renamed Themanlk (talk) 06:58, 8 October 2019 (UTC) --Relisting. Sceptre (talk) 20:07, 15 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Oppose - There are no international flights and, more importantly, a quick Google search shows Ratmalana Airport to be the most common name. Official names mean nothing in Wikipedia - something the editors who have re-named Jaffna Airport and Batticaloa Airport need to understand.--Obi2canibe (talk) 11:52, 13 October 2019 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

Requested move 11 March 2023

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: no consensus. After two relists, no one has participated in this discussion. No prejudice against speedy renomination. (closed by non-admin page mover) { {ping&#124;ClydeFranklin }} (t/c) 16:35, 4 April 2023 (UTC)

Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana → Ratmalana International Airport – Current title is not the most common one and it's also conflicting with the main international airport in Colombo&#32;2001:878:0:E000:82:E2:A1:33 (talk) 08:44, 9 March 2023 (UTC) This is a contested technical request (permalink). Kj cheetham (talk) 15:37, 11 March 2023 (UTC) — Relisting. BilledMammal (talk) 15:53, 19 March 2023 (UTC)  — Relisting. BilledMammal (talk) 16:14, 28 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Although I agree with you that the title you're proposing makes more sense than the actual name of the airport, that's the name supported by all the sources. And the move you're referring to was done 10 years ago. Dr. Vogel (talk) 20:19, 9 March 2023 (UTC)
 * In addition, there was another move last year. This is a WP:PCM. - UtherSRG (talk) 15:35, 10 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Relisting comment: Relisting for a last time to attempt to gain more input, as this move was previously disputed BilledMammal (talk) 16:14, 28 March 2023 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Requested move 28 July 2023

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: not moved. The vast majority of support !votes are not based on policy and reek of socking. No evidence was provided to show that the proposed name really is the WP:COMMONNAME for this airport. (closed by non-admin page mover) – Material  Works  15:43, 30 August 2023 (UTC)

Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana → Ratmalana International Airport – The name “Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana” is easily conflated with the main Bandaranaike International Airport, which serves as the primary international gateway in Colombo. Renaming the article to “Ratmalana International Airport” provides clarity, reduces potential ambiguity for readers, and aligns more closely with common naming conventions. 2001:708:0:19:0:0:0:7 (talk) 03:42, 28 July 2023 (UTC) — Relisting. – robertsky (talk) 07:39, 4 August 2023 (UTC) — Relisting. — DaxServer (t · m · e · c) 11:17, 13 August 2023 (UTC)  — Relisting. BilledMammal (talk) 14:04, 20 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Move - Wikipedia serves as a primary source of information for countless users. When users search for the “Colombo International Airport,” they are likely seeking information about the main international gateway. The current title can easily divert users away from their intended target, leading to confusion or misinformed conclusions.
 * 192.248.3.212 (talk) 03:57, 28 July 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose per the above RMs. estar8806 (talk) ★ 12:09, 28 July 2023 (UTC)
 * Move For readers seeking information about the primary international airport in Colombo, the current title can cause unnecessary confusion. A title change would streamline the user’s search experience by providing immediate clarity about the subject of the article.
 * 2001:700:0:4109:0:0:0:B (talk) 14:07, 30 July 2023 (UTC)
 * Move - For Wikipedia editors, especially those who might not be intimately familiar with Sri Lanka’s geography or aviation history, the distinction between the two airports becomes clearer with a simplified name. This can reduce errors in linking or referencing within other articles.
 * 2001:610:450:40:0:0:0:3A (talk) 09:15, 31 July 2023 (UTC)
 * Move - The name “Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana” intrinsically suggests that this is Colombo’s primary international airport. Such an assumption is natural given that major cities typically have one primary international gateway, and the name, as it stands, aligns with this notion. This implication is misleading since the Bandaranaike International Airport is the true primary international hub for Colombo and Sri Lanka at large. 130.226.161.51 (talk) 21:32, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Relisting comment: smells of sock activity. – robertsky (talk) 07:39, 4 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Move - to reduce potential misunderstanding as the main international airport in Colombo.
 * 150.129.185.26 (talk) 05:39, 5 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Comment: One of the unregistered users appears not to be a sockpuppet. I have no opinion on this request. SilverLocust 💬 15:54, 11 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Relisting comment: requesting more comments based on policy — DaxServer (t · m · e · c) 11:17, 13 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Move For readers who may be confused about the airports in Colombo, this title can cause unnecessary confusion. The title change would prevent any misunderstanding by allowing the user search experience to be streamlined. (Also, sock accounts aside, it appears to be the WP:COMMONNAME). SportingFlyer  T · C  14:26, 14 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Relisting comment: Final relist, to allow more time for policy-based comments. I agree with robertsky that there appears to be some level of sock activity. BilledMammal (talk) 14:04, 20 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Oppose as the common name apears to be just Colombo International Airport, there doesnt seem to be any confusion in official channels otherwise they would have renamed the main international airport in the area to include the word Colombo. MilborneOne (talk) 14:45, 20 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Move In the local context, the airport is predominantly referred to as “Ratmalana International Airport.” Whether in everyday conversation, local media, or among aviation professionals, this name is the most commonly recognized and used term for the airport. WP:COMMONNAME
 * 2001:638:D:D000:2:0:0:49 (talk) 03:26, 21 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Move per above, WP:PRECISE, and the example of Haneda Airport not being named as "Tokyo International Airport" despite it being the official name. S5A-0043 Talk 03:52, 21 August 2023 (UTC)


 * Move - Wikipedia’s guidelines favor titles that reflect the primary topic of the article WP:PRIMARYTOPIC. Since the airport serves Ratmalana and the broader Colombo region but is distinct from the primary international airport in Colombo, the proposed title more accurately reflects its role and purpose.
 * 194.57.7.222 (talk) 18:32, 25 August 2023 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Requested move 4 January 2024

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion. 

Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana → Ratmalana International Airport – I propose renaming the Wikipedia page from “Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana” to “Ratmalana International Airport.” This suggestion, while made previously, merits reconsideration due to its strong alignment with key Wikipedia naming policies, specifically Common Name (WP:COMMONNAME), Precision (WP:PRECISION), and Disambiguation (WP:DAB).


 * Revisiting Common Name (WP:COMMONNAME): Since previous requests, the usage of “Ratmalana International Airport” has further solidified in reliable sources. A recent review of current news articles, aviation records, and government statements consistently use “Ratmalana International Airport.” This trend strengthens the argument for aligning the article title with the most widely recognized and used name.
 * Enhanced Precision and Disambiguation (WP:PRECISION, WP:DAB): The potential for confusion with Bandaranaike International Airport has increased, given the latter’s growing prominence as Colombo’s main international gateway. Renaming the Ratmalana airport’s article would provide clear differentiation, thus serving the Wikipedia objective of reducing reader confusion and improving article precision.
 * Addressing Previous Objections: Previous attempts at this change may not have fully captured the evolving context and increasing recognition of the “Ratmalana International Airport” name. It is important to note that Wikipedia’s guidelines encourage reflecting current and accurate information, and the increasing usage of this name in authoritative and recent sources warrants a reevaluation of the page title.
 * Community and Reader Benefit: This change is in the best interest of the Wikipedia community and its readers. It ensures that users searching for information about Ratmalana International Airport find it easily and are not misled or confused by the current title. This aligns with Wikipedia’s goal of providing accessible, accurate, and reader-friendly content.

In light of these points, and with respect to previous discussions on the matter, I strongly advocate for reconsidering this change. It not only adheres more closely to Wikipedia’s naming conventions but also better serves the needs and expectations of its global audience. 2001:708:0:19:0:0:0:13 (talk) 05:19, 4 January 2024 (UTC) — Relisting.  Dr vulpes  (Talk) 13:52, 11 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Note: WikiProject Aviation has been notified of this discussion. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 14:20, 4 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Note: WikiProject Sri Lanka has been notified of this discussion. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 14:20, 4 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Comment. Why does this request abhorrently read like an AI-generated text? Chanaka L ( talk ) 14:42, 4 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Support. As a frequent user of Wikipedia and someone with an interest in accurate geographical representation, I strongly support the proposed change. The arguments presented are solid and reflect a genuine understanding of local context and Wikipedia’s guidelines. The clarity and precision this change brings are crucial for both locals and international visitors trying to differentiate between the two airports. As someone who values human insight in these discussions, I find the reasoning here to be practical and well thought out. Also, as a frequent traveler to Sri Lanka, I know that almost everyone refers to the main airport in Katunayake as “Colombo International Airport,” not to this one.
 * 2001:4200:4A:0:0:0:0:6 (talk) 16:31, 5 January 2024 (UTC) — 2001:4200:4A:0:0:0:0:6 (talk) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
 * Support. As an individual who frequently visits Sri Lanka, it's clear to me that Colombo International Airport typically refers to the airport in Katunayake. The current name for the Ratmalana International Airport on wikipedia often leads to confusion.
 * 197.136.17.211 (talk) 02:50, 9 January 2024 (UTC) — 197.136.17.211 (talk) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.


 * Comment: The above !votes seem to be the same IP socking effort as in the 28 July 2023 RM. BegbertBiggs (talk) 11:18, 11 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Comment: As noted by BegbertBiggs there are a lot of IP editors here so I'm relisting this article.  Dr vulpes  (Talk) 13:52, 11 January 2024 (UTC)
 * After a previous move discussion in 2019 found no consensus to move the page away from Ratmalana Airport, the page was moved to the current title without discussion in 2022 (by the same editor who proposed moving the page in 2019). This should never have taken place, and should have been dealt with above in the subsequent move requests. As noted above while attempting to WP:AGF, the comments above read as artificially generated text and the IPs have no other contributions to Wikipedia. Therefore I suggest moving the page back to the original title, Ratmalana Airport without the "International", unless and until there is any actual evidence presented that the common name has changed. Dekimasu よ! 16:02, 25 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Reluctantly oppose and suggest Ratmalana Airport. I know this airport's name is confusing, but the official name is Colombo Airport (link to official website) - even though it is in Ratmalana. And because of this, the common name is Ratmalana Airport. Colombo International Airport definitely not something people call this airport (the name is probably circulating around because of this Wikipedia page). I am from Sri Lanka. Reh  man  06:10, 29 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Looking up on the history, I now see that this was renamed from Ratmalana Airport sometime back. I strongly suggest this is reverted. Reh  man  06:13, 29 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Support: Sri Lanka has two types of airports: International and Domestic. This airport is an international one, so I suggest it’s better to use Ratmalana International Airport, which is distinct from domestic airports. Also, all other three Sri Lankan international airports use “international” in the title. The current title is the official name but it’s not commonly used.
 * 2001:610:450:40:0:0:0:2F (talk) 06:42, 30 January 2024 (UTC) — 2001:610:450:40:0:0:0:2F (talk) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.

The discussion above is closed. <b style="color: #FF0000;">Please do not modify it.</b> Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Fully protected edit request on 3 February 2024
As a follow-up to a page move, a protected redirect, Colombo Airport Ratmalana, Sri Lanka needs to be retargeted and redirect category (rcat) templates added. Please modify it as follows:


 * from this:


 * 1) redirect Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana


 * to this:


 * 1) REDIRECT Ratmalana Airport

The Redirect category shell template is used to sort redirects into one or more categories. When pp-protected and/or pp-move suffice, the Redirect category shell template will detect the protection level(s) and categorize the redirect automatically. (Also, the categories will be automatically removed or changed when and if protection is lifted, raised or lowered.) Thank you in advance!  P.I. Ellsworth &thinsp;,  ed.  put'er there 01:57, 3 February 2024 (UTC)
 * WHEN YOU COPY & PASTE, PLEASE LEAVE THE SKIPPED LINE BLANK FOR READABILITY.
 * ✅ * Pppery * <sub style="color:#800000">it has begun... 02:30, 3 February 2024 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much, editor !  P.I. Ellsworth &thinsp;, ed.  put'er there 02:41, 3 February 2024 (UTC)