Barawakumbuka-Mattala segment should be closed: Dolawatte

Immediate measures should be taken to close the recently opened Barawakumbuka to Mattala segment of the Southern Expressway (E01) with immediate effect and to take legal action against all responsible persons who were involved in the sudden opening of the segment, the Truth Seekers Movement (Sathya Gaveshakayo) Convener Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte said.

Speaking to the media, he said the road should be opened to the public after completing its construction as soon as possible.

“The Southern Expressway segment from Barawakumbuka to Mattala (E01) was declared open on November 7 without considering the safety of the people,” he said.

Mr Dolawatte said he would make a written request to the Highways Minister Johnston Fernando in this regard.

The Subject Minister and MP Namal Rajapaksa paid an inspection visit last Sunday to look into the construction of the newly-opened segment.

"The segment was declared open without completing its safety measures such as safety fences, ambulance service and fire equipment,” Dolawatte said.

"Before opening this stretch, a complaint was lodged with the Elections Commission on October 24 before the election.

“Animals can enter the expressway at any time because there is no safety fence. Heavy rain prevailed in the area during the time the segment was carpeted.  The road was carpeted during heavy rains without considering standards. The previous government did not see the value of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA)," he said.

"The previous government had opened several stretches of the Southern Expressway without considering the harm caused even to elephants,” he said.

“However, the stretches were opened for their cheap political gains and to increase their votes at the presidential election," he added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)