Four major Kandy infrastructure projects targeted for completion within two years

Colombo, July 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry plans to complete four major infrastructure projects in Kandy City within the next two years under the Central Provincial Development Programme.

The Gatambe Junction Flyover, Mahaiyawa Underground Tunnel, William Gopallawa Road development project and Louis Peiris Road development project will be expedited under the Strategic Development Plan to ease traffic congestion and improve urban connectivity in Kandy.

A progress review and field inspection of the projects was conducted on July 15, 2026, with the participation of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K. D. Lalkantha and Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena.

Construction work on the Gatambe Junction Flyover, which was suspended due to political, administrative and financial issues, resumed in February 2025. The project, aimed at reducing traffic congestion on routes including Gannoruwa–Kandy and Peradeniya–Kandy, is estimated to cost Rs. 14 billion.

The William Gopallawa Road development project, which involves expanding the road into a four-lane route to ease congestion in Kandy City, is being implemented with an allocation of Rs. 675 million.

The Louis Peiris Road project, which connects Kandy, Buwelikada and Ampitiya, will be upgraded with two lanes and pedestrian walkways on both sides. A sum of Rs. 539 million has been allocated for the project, which will include slope stabilisation measures using the “Soil Nailing” method due to the area’s landslide risks.

Meanwhile, the Mahaiyawa Tunnel project, which will facilitate the Kandy–Jaffna (A-009) main road and the upland railway network, is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 650 million. The tunnel is 31.7 metres long, 21.8 metres wide and 9 metres high.

Speaking after the inspection, Minister K. D. Lalkantha said development activities were being carried out across the country while preserving the historical and cultural value of Kandy City. He said steps were being taken to complete the projects within the targeted two-year period and deliver benefits to the public.

Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said Kandy’s development was being implemented according to a national plan, with several major infrastructure projects underway in and around the city to transform its physical infrastructure.

The inspection was attended by Kandy Municipal Council Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake, local councillors, project engineers, government officials and residents.