-Minister Bimal Rathnayake
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, stated that the new path started on September 21st, after the victory that replaced the wrong road the people of this country had traveled for seventy years, has led to an economic, social, and cultural political change in the country. He added that the progressive decision made by the people in 2024 has enabled the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power to continue the strong developmental momentum that began before the government’s first anniversary.
The Minister made these comments while participating in the official ceremony to restart construction on the suspended section of the Central Expressway, which runs from the Kadawatha interchange to Meerigama, a length of 37.09 km, held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“The people’s victory was able to forge a new path for the country”
Speaking further at the event, which was held yesterday (17) at the Kadawatha Interchange Complex, the Minister said: “The people of this country were directed to a new path at a moment when our country was politically and otherwise bankrupt, experiencing a great economic and social decline. This project was halted in the middle of the 2022 economic crisis. At that time, in a country without political leadership, massive financial losses were incurred by the country and the economy due to reasons such as fraud, corruption, and poor management. Not only the country, but also the construction companies suffered great losses. Due to the delay in the development of the highway and the second terminal of the Bandaranaike Airport, which are under our ministry, the country has had to make unbearable payments.”
“As a result of discussions with the Chinese government and the Chinese Ambassador, we were able to get concessions on the loan interest that had to be paid due to the unnecessary delay. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chinese government and the Chinese Ambassador for this. We expect that the construction of this expressway project will be carried out to a high standard, responsibly, and on time under the leadership of the Road Development Authority. As a government, we will provide all the necessary support for that. Under this government, unlike in past governments, there will be no political influence on project implementation. The environment needed to provide standardized development to the country has now been created. Therefore, it is planned to complete the 37 km distance in 32 months. Our expectation is to give the public the opportunity to travel on this road before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in 2028. We hope that the Chinese companies, local companies, and the Road Development Authority will act responsibly for that.”
“Construction on the remaining sections of the Central Expressway will also begin within this year. In addition, the construction of the Ruwanpura Expressway will be started expeditiously, and simultaneously, other roads up to Ratnapura will also be developed. The Kerawalapitiya interchange will be upgraded with modern facilities. A new service station will be established in the Udukawa area of the Southern Expressway to facilitate passengers.”
“Our government, under the leadership of the President, is committed to creating a better future, a ‘Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life’ for the people of our country who have been traveling on a new path since September 21st,” the Minister further stated.
A large number of people, including the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, and other representatives of the Chinese government, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunawardena, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Engineer Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, National People’s Power Gampaha District Parliamentarian Ruwan Mapalagama, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Road Development Authority T. Paskaran, Director General Wimal Kandambi, and officials from the Road Development Authority and the construction company, participated in the event.
Suranga Lakmal
