The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the commencement of Stage 1 of Phase 4 of the Central Expressway Project, covering the section from Kurunegala to Galewela.

Approval for Phase 4 of the project, which runs from Kurunegala to Dambulla, was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on March 3, 2026. Following discussions by a special committee on economic management to determine funding arrangements, it was decided to implement the project in two phases.

Stage 1 of Phase 4, covering the 38.5-kilometre stretch from Kurunegala to Galewela, will be financed through Government of Sri Lanka funds.

The Cabinet also endorsed a proposal by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to carry out procurement in a manner that enables local contractors to participate, ensuring greater domestic involvement in the project. (Newswire)

The post Kurunegala to Galewela: Cabinet approves Stage 1 of Phase 4 of Central Expressway Project appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to inaugurate construction work on the second phase of Section 3 of the Central Expressway on Friday (29) at the Galagedara Public Grounds.

This phase of the project covers the stretch between Rambukkana and Galagedara and forms part of the broader Central Expressway development. It is aimed at improving connectivity between the Central Province and other parts of the country.

Earlier this month, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to award contracts for the second phase of Section 3 of the Central Expressway Project.

The project, spanning from kilometre 13+800 to kilometre 32+450, will be implemented under seven contract packages through a national competitive procurement process involving qualified local contractors, the government said. (Newswire)

The post Rambukkana–Galagedara Central Expressway work to begin Friday appeared first on Newswire.

Construction of the first phase of Sri Lanka’s Central Expressway, covering the stretch from Kadawatha to Mirigama, has reached 48% completion, the Ministry of Transport and Highways said.

“Plans are underway to complete the Kadawatha interchange by the beginning of 2027 and to finish the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch by mid‑2028, vesting it with the public,” the ministry said in a video message.

The ministry explained that once this section is complete, the Southern Expressway and the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway will connect to the Central Expressway through the Outer Circular Road, creating a seamless national expressway network.

The ministry noted that with the completion of the Port Access Road, the public will be able to travel conveniently to Colombo, Katunayake, Kurunegala, and Mattala via the expressways. (Newswire)

The post Kadawatha–Mirigama Central Expressway stretch 48% complete appeared first on Newswire.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to expedite the construction of the Central Expressway from Kurunegala to Dambulla.

According to the government, Stage Four of the project covers 58.6 kilometres between Kurunegala and Dambulla. 

Approval for land acquisition was granted in 2025, and physical progress has already reached 73.37 per cent.

To accelerate construction, the Cabinet has authorized the preparation of the remaining land acquisition proposals. 

In addition, the National Building Research Organization will conduct geo‑technical investigations to assess slope stability and landslide risks, while the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation will prepare hydrological designs, flood risk assessments, and stormwater management plans. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway: Kurunegala – Dambulla stretch to be expedited appeared first on Newswire.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena has provided an update on the completion timelines of the ongoing developments of the Central Expressway.

Speaking to reporters in Kandy on Wednesday (14), the Deputy Minister said that construction of the Kadawatha–Meerigama section is expected to be completed by 2028, enabling travel via the expressway from Kadawatha to Kurunegala.

“The surfacing work on the section from Pothuhera to Rambukkana remains, which we believe can be completed by 2027. This will connect the expressway to Rambukkana,” he said.

He further added that procurement activities have begun for the section between Rambukkana and Galagedara, and construction is expected to be completed within approximately 42 months. Upon completion of this section, the expressway will extend up to Galagedara.

“In parallel, within this year, we will begin the process of acquiring land from Karugastota to the Galagedara Y junction, which is the connecting point to the expressway. This section will be expanded to four lanes, enabling us to manage traffic effectively,” he added. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway: deputy minister updates completion timelines appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways says tenders have been invited for the construction of the Central Expressway up to the Rambukkana-Galagedara section.

According to the ministry, details regarding the tenders could be obtained via https://rda.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_inquiries… 

In November last year, the Government announced that it had decided to commence the construction of the Rambukkana-Galagedara section of the Central Expressway Phase III using domestic funds.

Presenting the 2026 Budget proposal to Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said it has been proposed to commence construction work on the Rambukkana-Galagedara section using local funding, taking into account the country’s fiscal space. 

He said a total of Rs. 20,000 million has been allocated for this purpose, comprising remaining provisions from the Road Development Authority’s debt repayments and an additional budgetary allocation.

The economic crisis experienced by Sri Lanka led to the suspension of numerous road development projects, including the construction of the Central Expressway up to the Rambukkana-Galagedara section. (Newswire)

The post Tenders called for Central Expressway’s Rambukkana-Galagedara stretch appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says steps have been taken to recommence numerous road development projects that were suspended due to the economic crisis, resulting in various complications.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill for the 2026 financial year in Parliament today, the President said measures have been taken to resolve the issues and recommence the implementation of these projects. 

The projects to be recommenced are as follows; 

• Central Expressway Phase 1-

The government has decided to provide financial facilities for the construction of the Kadawatha- Mirigama section of the Central Expressway. Development work has already commenced, with the state having allocated Rs. 66.150 million for the year 2026.

• Central Expressway Phase 3-

The construction of the Pihtuhera- Rambukkana section of the Central Expressway Phase 3 from Pothuhera- Galagedera is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. The government has allocated Rs. 10,500 million for this purpose.

It has been proposed to commence construction work on the Rambukkana- Galagedera section using domestic funding from the Road Development Authority. The government has allocated Rs. 20,000 million for this purpose. 

• Katugasthota-Galagedera road section-

The necessary feasibility studies for the widening of the Katugasthota-Galagedera road section are scheduled to commence next year. In parallel with the construction of the Kandy Multi-Modal Transport Centre, provisions have been made in this budget to widen and upgrade several access roads leading to Kandy City. 

• Kurunegala- Dambulla proposed expressway-

The government has allocated Rs. 1000 million to complete the land acquisition process for the proposed Kurunegala- Dambulla expressway, which has already commenced. 

• Ruwanpura Expressway – First section of Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya:

It has been proposed to reassess the improvement of the existing access road from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya, based on a review of the feasibility study conducted in 2018 and further analysis of the information derived from the study. The government has allocated Rs. 1500 million for this purpose. 

• Feasibility study on the construction of the link between the Port Access Elevated Highway and the Marine Drive extension:

The government has allocated Rs. 330 million to conduct a feasibility study on constructing a link between the Port City end of the Port Access Elevated Highway and the Marine Drive. (Newswire)

The post Budget 2026 : Allocations for road development projects appeared first on Newswire.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has informed that construction of a bridge in the Bandarawatte area in Kadawatha on the Colombo – Kandy main road, as part of the Central Expressway Project, will be carried out in two stages. 

According to the Police, the RDA has informed that the construction will be conducted for a period of three months from today (01) until 31st January 2026. 

As such, the relevant road sections will be closed during the night, while alternate traffic arrangements have been announced for the convenience of motorists. 

Accordingly, during the first one and a half months of the construction work, one lane of the two-lane road in the Bandarawatte area in Kadawatha on the Colombo to Kandy will be closed for traffic. 

During the next one and a half-month period, construction work will be carried out from the Kandy side towards Colombo, during which one lane will be closed for traffic.

Therefore, as one lane in each direction will be closed, causing the roads to become operational with reduced capacity, it is expected that there will be significant traffic congestion during the said construction period.

Accordingly, motorists who use the Colombo – Kandy road during this period are advised to use alternative roads. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway : Road closure alert for Colombo – Kandy road appeared first on Newswire.

One person has been reported dead and two others injured in an accident on the Central Expressway early this morning (27). 

According to reports, a car that had entered the Central Expressway from the Kurunegala interchange had collided with the rear of a lorry travelling ahead.

It is reportedly that the accident occurred around 04.30 am today due to the driver falling asleep at the wheel.

One person had died on the spot, while two others who had sustained serious injuries had been admitted to the Kurunegala General Hospital.

The deceased has been identified as a passenger travelling in the back seat. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

The post One person killed & 02 injured in Central Expressway accident appeared first on Newswire.

Minister of Transportation Bimal Rathnayake says the construction of the  Kadawatha- Mirigama Section of the Central Expressway will be completed by the April New Year in 2028. 

Minister Rathnayake said that the Pothuhera- Rambukkana section of the Central Expressway will be completed prior to this. 

He further said that by the April New Year in 2028, the public will be able to travel from Kadawatha to Rambukkana on the Central Expressway. 

The Transport Minister made the remarks while addressing the event held today to launch the resumption of the construction of the Kadawatha- Mirigama Section of the Central Expressway. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway good news from April 2028 appeared first on Newswire.

The construction of the Kadawatha- Mirigama Section of the Central Expressway resumed today (17) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

The event marking the launch took place at the Kadawatha interchange premises, which was also attended by Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake.

Although the second phase of this expressway, which began construction in 2016, has now been opened, the first phase has faced delays due to various reasons.

Construction of the 168.7-kilometre Central Expressway began in 2016 under a loan agreement of USD 989 million approved by the China Exim Bank. The project consists of four phases.

The first phase spans 37 kilometres from Kadawatha to Mirigama. The second phase includes 39.7 kilometres from Mirigama to Kurunegala and 9.1 kilometres from Mirigama to Ambepussa.

The third phase extends 32.5 kilometres from Potuhera to Galagedara, while the fourth phase covers 60.3 kilometres from Kurunegala to Dambulla.

Following the commencement of construction, the second phase, from Mirigama to Kurunegala, was opened to the public on January 15, 2022.

However, due to subsequent political instability, economic crisis, and a shortage of workers, construction on the first phase, from Kadawatha to Mirigama, was halted. This was primarily due to the suspension of funding by the China Exim Bank.

With approximately 20% of the work completed on the Kadawatha–Mirigama section, the China Exim Bank has now approved a new loan in yuan equivalent to USD 500 million to resume construction.

The Kadawatha–Mirigama section is scheduled to be completed and opened to the public by 2028. (Newswire)

The post Work resumes on Kadawatha–Mirigama Central Expressway section appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways says Cabinet approval has been granted for awarding the construction contract for the Kadawatha Interchange, which will connect the Outer Circular Highway and the Central Expressway, as well as for the first phase of the Central Expressway.

According to the Ministry, contractors have been selected through a competitive bidding process. 

The Ministry added that the total cost of the project is Rs. 8.6 billion, and construction is scheduled to begin in September. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway : Cabinet nod for construction contract appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways says Cabinet approval has been granted to award contracts for three construction packages under the first stage of Phase Three of the Central Expressway Project, which spans from Pothuhera to Galagedara.

According to the ministry, this stage, from kilometre 0+000 to kilometre 13+800, includes final works required to make the expressway operational. 

These final works involve laying the aggregate base course, applying asphalt concrete, road marking and signage installation, construction of buildings for expressway operations, and installation of toll collection systems.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways further said that competitive national bidding has been conducted to select contractors for these three packages. 

Based on the current timeline, the Pothuhera–Rambukkana section is expected to be open to the public within 20 months, it added. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway : Update from Highways Ministry appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says China’s Export–Import Bank (EXIM) has agreed to provide a new concessionary loan in Chinese Yuan for the resumption of the Mirigama-Kadawatha section of the Central Expressway.

Delivering a special statement in Parliament today, President Dissanayake said that the proposal on the new Chinese loan will be approved at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for next Monday. 

“Work on the Mirigama-Kadawatha section of the Central Expressway was halted due to the failure to continue with the previous loan repayment due to bankruptcy. The construction work is contracted to a Chinese firm. Our agreement is with the Chinese firm. Due to the suspension of the construction work, all their machinery and equipment have become dilapidated and unusable,” he said. 

The President said, however, the Chinese company had proposed recommencing the construction work if the government pays compensation for their ruined machinery and equipment. 

“We can’t grant the compensation overnight. Several discussions must be held. Both sides have submitted proposals on the compensation value. We must conduct an estimation for the compensation,” he revealed. 

President Dissanayake pointed out that the loan provided by China’s EXIM Bank previously for the project was insufficient at present, under the current circumstances, adding that a higher loan was required. 

“Due to this requirement, we need to conduct more rounds of discussions. We are happy to announce that China’s EXIM Bank has agreed to provide a loan in Yuan with many concessions. Once we get the loan, we can settle the contractor’s compensation and recommence the project,” he said. 

The President also revealed that plans are underway for the construction of the Galagedera – Kandy stretch of the Central Expressway.

He said discussions are underway to secure foreign investments for the development project.

“If we are unable to get foreign investment, then the government will look at constructing the road using local investments. We intend to commence construction work by next year,” he added.  

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake went on to note that several other development projects that were halted previously due to Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy cannot be completed under the previously offered loans. 

“These projects need loans offering more money. They cannot be restarted immediately. These can be worked out only through fresh discussions, and it will take at least one to two years,” he said. 

The President further assured that all development projects that were halted will be recommenced by this year, such as the Katunayake Airport and Expressway projects. (Newswire)

The post China’s EXIM Bank agrees on new loan for Mirigama-Kadawatha expressway – President appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that construction of the section of the Central Expressway from Pothuhera to Rambukkana has commenced.

In a video message shared on social media, the ministry said that land preparation in many areas for this purpose is already in its final stages.

The ministry further said that contractors for the asphalt carpeting phase have been selected through a tender process, and contract signing is expected to take place soon.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the Road Development Authority expects the construction to be completed by January 2027. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway construction : New update appeared first on Newswire.

Cabinet approval has been granted to resume the acquisition and suspended activities related to the construction of the Kurunegala to Dambulla stretch of the Central Expressway (Phase IV). 

The government says approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held in March 2023 to make the payment of the remaining compensation for the plots of land acquired for Phase IV of the Central Expressway Project and divestment of the plots of land for which compensation has not been paid in terms of the Land Acquisition Act. 

The physical progress of Phase IV of the Central Expressway Project is at 73.2%. 

As such, it has been identified that the completion of Phase IV is essential to meet the requirement for a quantitative and qualitative road system to access the Northern, North Central, Eastern and Central provinces, and to achieve the full expected benefits of the entire Central Expressway. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport and Highways to resume the acquisition and suspended activities for the construction of the relevant stretch from Kurunegala – Dambulla. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway : Cabinet makes decision on Kurunegala to Dambulla stretch appeared first on Newswire.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena says the halted Central Expressway project will resume, with the construction of the first phase commencing within the next two months.

He told the media that Sri Lanka is expecting approval from China’s EXIM Bank for the funds related to the project.

Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena further said that steps are being taken to resume construction following fruitful discussions held regarding the project during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent tour to China. 

The first phase of the Central Expressway is from Kadawatha to Mirigama spanning a distance of 37 km. (Newswire)

The post Central Expressway construction : Minister gives update appeared first on Newswire.

Excavation work commenced yesterday (21) in search of treasure in a land near the Central Expressway under construction in the Wanduramba area in Veyangoda.

The measures were taken on a court order issued by the Attanagalle Magistrate’s Court.

According to the Veyangoda Police, the said location has been excavated on multiple occasions over the years, by treasure hunters, claiming that there was treasure at the site. The security forces had also arrested several people with equipment used to excavate treasure on several occasions.

During inspections carried out by the Department of Archaeology, it was revealed that there is no treasure at the site. However, investigations conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) have found that there was something buried in the ground.

Accordingly, after reporting the facts to the Attanagalle Magistrate’s Court, excavation work has commenced under the supervision of the officials of the Department of Archeology, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Veyangoda Police, Road Development Authority, and the Mirigama Divisional Secretariat. (Newswire)

The post Excavation for treasure begins near Central Expressway in Veyangoda appeared first on Newswire.

A probe has been launched into the recent collapse of a concrete beam on the Central Expressway between Kadawatha and Mirigama.

The probe was launched by the Road Development Authority (RDA) into the incident which occurred in the Kadaoluwawa area in Bemmulla on Sunday.

Concerns had been raised after the concrete beam, measuring about 35 meters, had collapsed, as there were similar constructions in the area.

According to media reports, the Police have visited the area and conducted preliminary investigations, while sabotage is suspected. (Newswire)

The post Probe launched into concrete beam collapse on Central Expressway appeared first on Newswire.

Plans are underway to complete construction of the third phase of the Central Expressway from Pothuhera to Galagedara in two years, Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardana announced. 

Minister Gunawardena further said that the government plans to complete the first phase of the construction from Pothuhera to Rambukkana in 2025 and the entire project by July 2026. 

The minister further said that following the completion of the construction, the public will be able to use the Central Expressway from Mirigama to Rambukkana.

He made the remarks while engaging in a progress review meeting of the project held at the project office located in the Lihinigiriya area of Pothuhera.

The third phase of the Central Expressway is 32.45 km in distance and consists of four interchanges; Pothuhera, Polgahawela, Rambukkana and Galagedara. 

Construction concerning the related interchange of the Central Expressway is currently underway. (NewsWire)

The post Central Expressway phase 3 : Minister reveals timeline for completion appeared first on Newswire.