Central Expressway delayed by lethargy of former govt.: Johnston

By Yohan Perera

Progress on the construction work on the Central expressway had been delayed by the lethargic work of a company owned by a former Cabinet Minister of the Yahapalana Government who had undertaken the contract on the Pothuhera-Meerigama Stretch, Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando said yesterday.

Speaking during an inspection tour on the Central Expressway, the Minister said the present Government would expedite the work.

“Nearly 90 per cent of the work on other stretches of the project has been completed and the issue is with the Pothuhera-Meerigama stretch, which is being constructed by a company owned by a former Cabinet Minister who was in the Yahapalana Government,” he said.

“The country is suffering the consequences of the action of the previous Government which handed over contracts to its close associates,” the Minister said.

“Our Government will carry on development work despite the ongoing pandemic and the global economic set backs,” he added.