Kerawalapitiya industrial zone road left in disrepair despite strategic importance

Colombo, July 7 (Daily Mirror) - The main access road leading from the Kerawalapitiya Expressway exit to the Elakanda Junction, which serves the Kerawalapitiya Industrial Estate, has fallen into a state of disrepair, with residents and businesses alleging that no government has taken steps to properly maintain it.

The Container Transport Owners' Association (CTOA) claimed that approximately 3.5-kilometre road serves as a vital route for several industries and facilities that support Sri Lanka’s key sectors, including fuel, gas, electricity generation, food supply, construction materials, sea sand storage yards and waste disposal operations in Colombo.

However, despite the importance of the industries located along the road, residents claim that maintenance work has been neglected for years. The road becomes heavily flooded and difficult to navigate during the rainy season, while severe dust conditions affect the area during dry weather.

Large potholes have also developed along several sections of the road, making travel difficult for vehicles transporting essential goods and materials.

Residents further claimed that although there were promises to develop the road, no action has been taken so far. They pointed out that even during the recent visit of the Prime Minister to inaugurate the Yugadhanavi Power Plant, assurances were given regarding the road’s construction, but no preparations have commenced to date.