Ruwanpura expressway suspended

Colombo, Feb 13 (Daily Mirror) - The new government has suspended the construction of the Ruwanpura expressway which is meant to link Kahathuduwa in the Western Province with Pelmadulla via Ratnapura in the Sabaragamuwa Province, due to financial constraints, an official said.

The project was initially proposed during the 2010/2015 rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Though the expressway was originally planned to be commissioned in 2018, work did not progress in the desired pace following the change of government in 2015.

Later, the Road Development Authority (RDA) awarded the contract to Maga Engineering Ltd, and land acquisition commenced under the first phase of the expressway from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya, which is 24.3km long. The design speed of this phase is 110km/h. It was to be a four lane two-way expressway. This section comprises two interchanges in Horana and Ingiriya.

However, the new government which faces financial constraints has suspended the project.

Deputy Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena confirmed to Daily Mirror that the project had been suspended due to the financial crisis.

“We have not abandoned the project but suspended it,” he said.

However, he said the colonial era railway track that existed up to Ratnapura will be reconstructed.

The Kelani Valley line (KV) was originally built from Colombo to Yatiyanthota via Avissawella during 1900–1902. It was branched off at Avissawella and extended up to Opanayaka via Ratnapura. Currently, the rail service is in operation only up to Avissawella.

The Deputy Minister said action is now taken to retake land for the reconstruction of the track.

“Work is now in progress,” he said.

Besides, the government has decided to prioritize the completion of construction of the Central expressway that links Colombo with Kandy via Kurunegala.