Minister Dr. Gunawardhana requests all to complete construction to planned timeframe

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana made a special observation of the section from Pothuhera to Rambukkana which is being constructed under the third phase of the Central Expressway project from Pothuhera to Galagedara.

The Minister visited the project office located in Lihinigiriya area of Pothuhera and attended a special presentation on the current progress of the project which was attended by officials in charge of the project and representatives of the construction company.

Thereafter, the Minister visited many places such as Pothuhera Interchange, Wadakada, Turuviana-Bulgolla, Dombemada, where the construction is currently underway. The third phase of the Central Expressway with a total distance of 32.45 km consists of four interchanges including Pothuhera, Polgahawela, Rambukkana and Galagedara.

The Minister addressing the gathering explained to the officials and the constructors about the current economic situation in the country and that constructions are being carried out in accordance with the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund. The Minister pointed out that the negotiations to get the third installment of the loan from the International Monetary Fund have reached the final stage under the programme that is currently being implemented to free the country from the situation where it was unable to obtain any foreign loan.

The Minister emphasised that there will be no opportunity to delay the payment for contractors for more than three months under this situation and that he acted as the Minister in charge of paying a large sum of outstanding funds to the contractors through the Road Development Authority.

Accordingly the Minister requested the support of all to complete the construction according to the planned timeframe.

Although it was planned to complete the construction of this section with an estimated amount of Rs.29 billion before the year 2022, the total cost has been increased to Rs. 52 billion due to the rise in the value of the dollar in the face of the economic crisis that the country faced in the recent past.

Local construction companies are already engaged in construction work under 17 contract packages for the phase from Pothuhera to Rambukkana. Accordingly, the plan is to complete the initial phase of the project by 2025, and complete the whole construction by July 2026, and start operations. After the completion of the construction, people will be able to use the Central Expressway from Mirigama to Rambukkana.

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