New rest center project launched on Southern Expressway in Matara

Colombo, Sep 29 (Daily Mirror) - The construction of a new rest center along the Southern Expressway was inaugurated today (29) in Udukawa, Matara, under the patronage of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila C. K. Perera.

The center, located near the 119th kilometer between Godagama and Kokmaduwa, is expected to provide rest and essential amenities for drivers and passengers traveling between Kottawa and Mattala.

According to the Ministry, Rs. 43 million has been allocated for the first phase of the project, which will accommodate around 30 vehicles at a time. The second phase will expand the facility into a full-scale service area with modern amenities.

Currently, the Welipenna service area is the only operational rest stop along the Southern Expressway. Authorities said the Matara facility was being developed as an urgent measure to improve road safety and passenger convenience. Construction is scheduled to be completed within three months.

The initiative is being implemented under the direction of Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament, Bimal Ratnayake. Plans are also underway to establish additional rest centers, built to international standards, across Sri Lanka’s 314-kilometer expressway network.

Matara District MP Arkam Ilyas, Road Development Authority Chairman T. Paskaran, Director General Wimal Kandambi, Deputy Director General (Expressway Maintenance, Assets and Management) P. H. Gunasinghe, and other officials attended the inauguration.