Colombo- Katunayake Expressway re-opened for traffic

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

The Colombo - Katunayake Expressway (E-03) which was closed for several hours due to sudden smoke emitting from the Ambalanmulla garbage dumping site near Seeduwa, was re-opened for vehicular movement last night, police said.  

“The expressway was closed for vehicular movement on the kilometre posts between R-17.2 and R-18.1 on the E-03 was restricted and vehicles that arrive from Katunayake towards Colombo were directed to exit at Ja-Ela interchange,” the police said.   

They said, Police, Army and Air Force (SLAF) personnel were deployed to douse the fire, which the rising flames were even visible to the passing by vehicles within a distance of 50 metres.   

Meanwhile, Air Force Spokesman Gihan Seneviratne said the SLAF had deployed a BELL-212 helicopter with a Bambi bucket. “Air force firefighters with vehicles and support crew were also in action at the location,” he said.   

The police media unit said the fire erupted from the garbage dump was doused and the roads were cleared for vehicle movements.   

(Additional Reporting: T.K.G. Kapila and Pushpakumara Mallawaarachchi)