Priority to complete construction work of expressways

The priority had been granted by the Government to complete the construction work of the Central Expressway (E04), the inauguration of Ruwanpura Expressway construction work, as well as completion of construction activities of the Kelaniya to Athurugiriya expressway that runs on columns, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, said.

He said the national policy framework of "The Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour" clearly recognizes the vitality of the existence of an interconnected highway network as a major factor for economic development strategies. 

The rural by-ways project covering 100,000 kilometres is being implemented, he said.

"Approximately 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product should be allocated for the financing of the expressways already under construction and scheduled to be constructed," the Minister said.

“Therefore, the Cabinet Ministers have granted their consent for the resolution forwarded by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance for the incorporation of a company solely owned by the Ministry with all the expressways being taken under the particular Company so that the proposed company would be eligible for collecting funds required for the construction of the expressways by itself in addition to the income generated from other income-generating means.