Kadawatha–Meerigama section of Central Expressway : Construction Update

Sri Lanka’s Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake on Thursday inspected ongoing construction work on the Kadawatha–Meerigama section, the first phase of the country’s Central Expressway project.

Officials briefed the minister that about 40% of construction on the section has now been completed.

Although agreements for the project were signed in 2015, construction began only in 2020 and was soon halted as Sri Lanka slid into a severe economic crisis triggered by failed economic policies, officials said.

Following the formation of a new government, discussions were resumed between the Transport Ministry and the Chinese government, leading to renewed loan approvals. As a result, work on the project recommenced on September 17, 2025.

During the inspection, Minister Rathnayake instructed officials to re-examine earlier assessments related to traffic congestion expected at expressway entry and exit points, particularly along the Colombo–Kandy road and within the expressway network once the project is completed.

The Kadawatha–Meerigama stretch forms part of the broader Central Expressway, a key infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Colombo and central regions of the country. (Newswire)

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