The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of a contract to complete the remaining works of the Warakapola Bypass Road, under the National Highways Widening and Improvement Program.

Following the National Competitive Procurement Procedure, six bids were received. 

Based on the evaluation and recommendation of the High‑Level Procurement Committee, the contract has been awarded to M/s Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, identified as the lowest substantially responsive bidder.

The project, valued at Rs. 4.99 billion (excluding VAT), was presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development and is expected to enhance connectivity and ease traffic flow in the Warakapola area once completed. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stated that there will be no permission granted for unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public by being carried out under the guise of a development agenda.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held at the Colombo District Secretariat yesterday (09). 

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk. Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower,” she said.

PM Amarasuriya pointed out that, however, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

“This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the annual flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district, and the necessary steps are being prepared to implement it accordingly,” she said.

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi. (Newswire)

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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)

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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)

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The Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI – Construction) recorded a decline in construction activities in September 2024, as reflected by the Total Activity Index, which recorded an index value of 48.6. 

Many survey respondents observed a slight moderation in construction activities during the month, particularly attributable to the election-related disruptions. 

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, new orders recorded an increase in September. 

Most respondents pointed out that the intense market competition, despite the gradual availability of foreign-funded and locally-funded private projects for tenders, affected their financial health. 

Employment and Quantity of Purchases decreased in September, mainly due to the slowdown in operations during the month. 

Meanwhile, Suppliers’ Delivery Time remained lengthened in September. (Newswire)

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A total of 1700 Sri Lankans have been selected for employment following the initial round of skill tests conducted for positions in the construction industry in Israel.

According to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), over 50% of the applicants were qualified.

The first round of testing took place from 18-26 February 2024 at the Industrial Engineering Training Institute in Katubedda.

Representatives from the Israeli government conducted these assessments and interviews. 

The tests aimed to evaluate applicants’ ability to meet the specific needs of the Israeli construction industry, with a particular focus on skills in floor tiling and other relevant areas. The process was conducted independently and free from external interference.

Applicants who registered through the SLBFE were called for the assessments and interviews. 

Coordinating Secretary of the Minister of Labour, Suneth Athukorala visited the testing site on Monday (Feb 26) to observe the progress.

During the visit, Israeli representatives expressed satisfaction and commended the skill level of the applicants. 

The SLBFE said consequently, another round of testing with their participation is scheduled for the coming weeks.

The SLBFE added that applicants can obtain skill verification from any recognized competency testing centre and submit it to the SLBFE head office or a regional office to obtain registration. (NewsWire)

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The construction industry remained contracted in June 2023, recording a Total Activity index value of 44.4, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported.

According to the Central Bank, most of the companies operate at a sub-optimal level amidst the limited availability of construction projects. 

However, several respondents have mentioned that the steady decline in material prices has induced them to commence small-scale construction work.

The lack of new projects continued to hinder the industry, which is reflected by the continuous decrease in new orders, the bank stated.

Full statement: 

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