Sri Lanka begins work on its 07th Expressway - The Ruwanpura Expressway

COLOMBO (News 1st); Construction work for Sri Lanka's 07th Expressway, the Ruwanpura Expressway was remotely launched by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday (07).

The total length of the Ruwanpura Expressway is 73.9 km, and the first phase which was launched on Friday (07) From Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya is 24.3 km. The Ruwanpura Expressway from Kahathuduwa to Pelmadulla via Ratnapura connects the Western Province with the Sabaragamuwa Province. The project from Kahathuduwa to Ratnapura to Pelmadulla (73.9 km) has been divided into three phases for implementation purposes. Phase I extends from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya (24.3 km) Phase II from Ingiriya to Ratnapura (26.2 km) Phase III from Ratnapura to Pelmadulla (21.4 km). The entire project will cost of Rs. 54.70 billion. The project was first envisaged by the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto in 2014. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking from Temple Trees said Expressway Projects were the most criticized projects, however, the critics themselves now benefit from the expressway. The Ruwanpura Expressway is envisaged to provide a boost for the economic development of the country by help promoting efficiency and it is expected to ease congestion on the Panadura-Ratnapura (A08) and Colombo-Wellawaya-Batticaloa (A-04) routes. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoDQ3_INXIA[/embed]