The construction of the Kadawatha to Meerigama section of the Central Expressway commenced this morning.
The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said 1500 direct and indirect jobs will be created for Sri Lankan workers under this project.
Metallurgical Corporation of China is the chief contractor for the project, while the Exim Bank of China has provided a concessional loan of US$ 989 million, the Embassy added.
The Ministry of Highways has made a payment of Rs 16.67 billion as an initial advance to the contractor for the project that was reportedly commissioned 05 years ago.
The Kadawatha-Mirigama section of the Central Expressway is to be 36.54km in length and 24.4m in width, with four lanes.
The Ministry of Highways has estimated Rs 158 billion for the construction of the road, with the Kadawatha to Meerigama section expected to be completed within 04 years. (NewsWire)
Construction of Central Expressway Section I (Kadawatha to Meerigama) formally started this morning. 1500 direct&indirect jobs will be created for #lka workers.
Main contractor: Metallurgical Corporation Of #China
With $989M concessional loans from Exim Bank of China
🇨🇳🇱🇰#BRI pic.twitter.com/gu5v42uIfJ— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) September 15, 2020