Southern expresswa y up to H’tota: to open on Feb.23

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

With the completion of the 145-kilometre stretch of the Southern Expressway (E-01), the Godagama to Barawakumbuka stretch of 96 kilometres will be opened for public on Sunday, Southern Expressway Deputy Director R.A.D Kahatapitiya said.  

He said the stretch would be opened under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.   
With the latest highway coming into operation, motorists can travel between Katunayake and Hambantota in 3 hours and 45 minutes.   
All the supporting exits and entrances connected to the new stretch have been completed.   

The Godama to Barawakumbuka stretch is as follows: Godagama-Aparekka (13Km), Aparekka-Beliatta (15Km), Beliatta-Kasagala (10Km), Kasagala-Angunukolapelessa (11Km), Angunukolapelessa-Barawakumbuka (8Km).   
The Southern Expressway from Barawakumbuka to Mattala and Hambantota (E-06) was declared open on November 7, last year.