Legal action has been initiated against nearly 3,000 motorists and passengers for failing to wear seatbelts in vehicles travelling on expressways, as police step up the strict enforcement of seatbelt regulations.

Deputy Inspector General of Police W.P.J. Senadheera, who is in charge of the Police Traffic Management and Road Safety Division, said the seatbelt law is now being strictly enforced with the primary objective of protecting motorists and passengers.

He stressed that the regulations are being implemented for public safety rather than simply to penalise road users.

Senadheera noted that vehicles are permitted to travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h on expressways, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury to passengers who are not properly restrained in the event of sudden braking or an accident.

He cited an 11-vehicle collision on the Southern Expressway, which occurred the day after the seatbelt law was enforced, as an example of the importance of wearing seatbelts.

According to the DIG, passengers involved in the collision sustained only minor injuries, while no fatalities were reported.

He said the incident demonstrated the effectiveness of seatbelts in reducing the severity of injuries during high-speed accidents.

Senadheera urged the public to understand that seatbelts should not be worn merely to avoid police action, but as an essential safety measure to protect their own lives.

He added that taking legal action against those violating the regulations is also intended to increase public awareness of the importance of wearing seatbelts while travelling. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that wearing seat belts will become compulsory for all passengers traveling in vehicles on Sri Lanka’s expressways from midnight today (18).

Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, told the media that the one‑year grace period granted to motorists ends today. 

From tomorrow (19), drivers and passengers found traveling without seat belts will face legal action, and vehicles without seat belts will not be permitted to enter the expressway.

The Police said that the rule applies to both front and rear seat passengers, noting that failure to wear seat belts significantly increases the risks of road accidents and injuries. 

SSP Ranagala stressed that enforcement is aimed not only at imposing fines but at safeguarding lives.

Authorities warned that passengers in rear seats must also comply, and vehicles lacking seat belts should not attempt to access the expressway. (Newswire)

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Sarvajana Balaya MP Dilith Jayaweera has cautioned that the government’s announcement to construct three expressways from next year using “domestic funds” without foreign loans is misleading, arguing that the plan conceals the real financial and foreign exchange burden on the country.

Issuing a statement, Jayaweera said domestic funds are not free money, but consist of taxes collected from citizens and borrowings from the local market. If Rs. 2 trillion is to be spent on expressways, he noted, the government would have to raise the money either by imposing more taxes, cutting essential expenditure, or borrowing further from the domestic market.

According to projections, government revenue in 2027 is estimated at Rs. 5.8 trillion. Of this, Rs. 2.64 trillion will be spent on interest payments, while Rs. 3.39 trillion will be required for salaries, pensions, subsidies, and other recurrent expenses. Jayaweera pointed out that mandatory spending already exceeds revenue before any capital allocation is made. He added that under the IMF programme, Sri Lanka must maintain a primary surplus of 2.3% of GDP, making it unclear how Rs. 2 trillion could be allocated solely for expressways under such strict fiscal limits.

He stressed that paying contractors in rupees does not make the projects dollar‑free. Large volumes of steel, bitumen, fuel, heavy machinery, vehicles, tyres, spare parts, lubricants, electrical and electronic equipment, signalling and toll systems must be imported. Even cement and concrete produced locally involve foreign exchange costs for clinker, fuel, power, and machinery. Sand, stone, and gravel may be domestic resources, but the fuel and equipment used in extraction and transport are imported. If foreign labour is employed, wages and remittances will also contribute to dollar outflows.

Jayaweera warned that considering direct imports, hidden imports within domestic supplies, foreign labour, machinery maintenance, and additional import demand, the foreign exchange exposure could reach nearly 90% of the project cost. A Rs. 2 trillion programme, he said, could generate foreign exchange demand equivalent to almost USD 6 billion.

He further highlighted that challenges in 2028 will be even more severe. According to IMF projections, Sri Lanka’s official reserves must rise to USD 13.9 billion by then, a target achievable only through sustained growth in exports, tourism, remittances, and foreign direct investment. At the same time, servicing restructured bilateral and commercial debt will increase, with annual requirements estimated between USD 3.2 billion and USD 5 billion. By 2028, the government will therefore face three simultaneous tasks: building reserves to USD 13.9 billion, meeting rising debt obligations, and maintaining a primary surplus of 2.3% under the IMF programme.

Against this backdrop, Jayaweera argued that starting three expressways at once, projects that could add billions of dollars in foreign exchange demand, is economically impractical. He stressed that this is not opposition to expressway development, which Sri Lanka needs, but a call for clear priorities, realistic timelines, and an economic plan to earn the foreign exchange required.

He described the claim of “building expressways from domestic funds without foreign loans” as a half‑truth, saying it only refers to payments in rupees while hiding the real dollar burden. Jayaweera urged the government to present Parliament and the public with the full estimated costs of each expressway, annual Treasury allocations, a complete assessment of foreign exchange impacts, the sources of required dollars, and how the expenditure aligns with IMF fiscal limits and debt servicing obligations.

Without such transparency, he warned, the promise is not a development plan but a political pledge without financial backing. He concluded that Sri Lanka must first build a productive economy that will use these roads, industries that earn dollars, stronger exports, and greater foreign investment, before embarking on mega projects that risk deepening the country’s economic crisis. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament on Tuesday (08) that construction on several new expressway projects will commence before the end of this year.

He said that work on the Kurunegala–Galewela section of the Kurunegala–Dambulla Expressway is scheduled to begin during November–December 2026. In addition, construction of the Kahathuduwa–Ingiriya Expressway will also start towards the end of the year.

The Minister noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to prepare plans for the proposed Katunayake–Chilaw Expressway, while a separate proposal has been submitted to study an expressway system centered on Anuradhapura.

Providing updates on ongoing projects, Rathnayake said the Kadawatha–Meerigama Expressway is expected to be completed by May 2028, while the Pothuhera–Rambukkana section is scheduled for completion by April 2027. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament today (08) that wearing seat belts will become mandatory for all passengers, both front and rear, on Sri Lanka’s expressways starting September 19.

The Minister said the measure follows alarming statistics: in 2025, 2,700 people died in road accidents.

He further said that research showed that casualties on expressways were predominantly rear‑seat passengers, especially women and children, prompting the decision to extend seat belt requirements beyond drivers and front passengers.

Rathnayake explained that the rule has been in practice for a year with a grace period provided for older vehicles that lacked rear seat belts. Owners were given time to install them, but from September 19, all vehicles including office transport, school vans, and hired vehicles must comply.

The Minister warned that vehicles failing to comply will face police enforcement and penalties.  

He acknowledged that some may protest against the decision but stressed that ample time had been given to adapt. 

“After September 19, no vehicle will be allowed on the expressway without the required seat belts,” Rathnayake said.

He added that the regulation applies exclusively to Sri Lanka’s highways. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s expressways generated more than Rs. 124.5 million in revenue during the two public holidays on August 26 and 27, according to the Road Development Authority (RDA).

The RDA reported that 325,316 vehicles used the expressway network over the two days. 

On August 26, a total of 163,763 vehicles traveled, producing Rs. 60.4 million in income. 

The following day, 161,553 vehicles were recorded, generating Rs. 64.1 million.

The RDA noted that the highest traffic volumes were reported along the Southern Expressway (E01) and the Outer Circular Expressway (E02). (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to procure new vehicles and equipment for the operation and maintenance of Sri Lanka’s expressway network, which currently spans 312 kilometers and is set to expand further by 2027–2028.

The decision follows the Road Development Authority’s identification of worn‑out equipment on existing expressways and the need to prepare for upcoming routes, including the Port Access Expressway, Section 1 of the Central Expressway, and Section 111 from Pothuhera to Galagedara.

Under the plan, Rs. 1,200 million from expressway earnings will be allocated to procure 21 types of vehicles and equipment, including:

• Double‑cab pickup trucks – 4 (management, toll collection, and police use)
• Expressway ambulances – 2
• Aerial platform trucks – 2
• Telescopic boom trucks – 2
• Pedestrian walkway cleaning vehicles – 2
• Water jetting cleaning trucks – 2
• Fire trucks – 2
• Tow trucks / accident recovery trucks – 3
• Boom mower vehicles – 2

The proposal, presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, was endorsed by the Cabinet to ensure efficient operations and safety across the expanding expressway network. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways announced that by 2030, Sri Lanka’s expressway system will expand by 132 kilometers with the completion of four major projects.

Currently under construction are the Kadawatha–Meerigama section (37 km) of the Central Expressway’s first phase and the Pothuhera–Galagedara section (33 km) of its third phase.

According to the Ministry, before the end of 2026, work is scheduled to begin on the Kurunegala–Dambulla Expressway Project, starting with the Kurunegala–Galewela section (38 km). 

The project, estimated at Rs. 233 billion, will be launched under a transparent tender process divided into 12 packages, with rapid development carried out by local construction companies.

In addition, the Ruwanpura Expressway Project, covering 24 km, is also planned to commence this year.

The ministry has highlighted that a key feature of these projects is the use of domestic government funds for construction,  the first time Sri Lanka has financed expressway development entirely from local resources. (Newswire)

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The Government has extended by three months the concessionary period granted to vehicle manufacturers to install seat belts in vehicles operating on expressways, following requests from industry stakeholders.

Under the Motor Vehicles (Expressways) Order No. 2 of 2011, issued in line with the Motor Vehicles Act, seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in vehicles traveling on expressways. 

The initial grace period for manufacturers to retrofit seat belts in vehicles without them expired on 19 June 2026.

Considering appeals to extend the deadline, the Government amended the Order through Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/19 dated 17 June 2026, pushing the grace period to 19 September 2026.

The proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development for parliamentary approval has already been endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers. (Newswire)

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The National Council for Road Safety has announced that the mandatory seat belt regulation will be strictly enforced from June 20, ending the grace period previously granted to motorists.

Council Chairman Manjula Kularatne said all passengers, both in the front and rear seats, must wear seat belts when travelling on expressways. 

He emphasized that the rule will be applied without exception once the grace period concludes on June 19.

Authorities noted that the regulation had been introduced earlier, but enforcement was temporarily relaxed to allow the public time to adjust. 

With the deadline now approaching, officials confirmed that full compliance will be required from June 20 onward. (Newswire)

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The Road Development Authority today organized an awareness programme on the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) service for motorists using the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, highlighting the benefits of faster, more efficient toll payments.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, ETC users enjoy separate entry and exit points, enabling smooth travel without delays, along with a 10% discount on each journey. 

The service is currently available at Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya, Ja‑Ela and Katunayake interchanges, with plans to extend it to Kadawatha in the near future.

The Ministry of Transport and Highways, together with the Road Development Authority has simplified registration through the website www.exway.rda.gov.lk, allowing vehicle owners to sign up online, collect an RFID tag at a convenient interchange, and top up their ETC accounts via GovPay or bank cards.

Motorists are advised to maintain a speed of 15 km/h at entry and exit points and keep a 20‑meter distance from the vehicle ahead when using ETC lanes. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal to rehabilitate and upgrade the road lighting system along the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, including the Kerawalapitiya Interchange, following extensive damage caused by theft and vandalism.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, nearly 85% of the lighting system is currently inactive, raising safety concerns for motorists.

As such, under the first stage of the project, lighting will be reinstated at the Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya, Seeduwa and Ja‑Ela interchanges.

Thereafter, the stretch from the new Kelani Bridge to the Peliyagoda Fish Market and from Seeduwa to Bandaranaike International Airport will also be illuminated.

The government states that rehabilitation and improvement works will be carried out under two packages, with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,098.50 million.

Contractors will be selected through the National Competitive Procurement Procedure.

The proposal, presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake says that the total maintenance cost for Sri Lanka’s expressway network, spanning 312.57 kilometres, amounted to Rs. 5,180.90 million.

The Minister detailed the breakdown of costs as follows:

• Southern Expressway (E1) — Rs. 2,024.5 million for 200.45 km from Kottawa to Mattala
• Outer Circular Expressway (E2) — Rs. 767.6 million for 28.86 km from Kottawa to Kerawalapitiya
• Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (E3) — Rs. 834.1 million for 25.8 km from Peliyagoda to Seeduwa
• Central Expressway (E4) — Rs. 531 million for 40.91 km from Mirigama to Kurunegala–Yaggapitiya
• Southern Expressway Extension (E5) — Rs. 1,022.7 million for 16.55 km from Andarawewa to Hambantota

Minister Rathnayake further revealed that total expressway revenue from January 1 to December 31, 2025, stood at Rs. 16,330.14 million. 

Revenue distribution was as follows:

• Southern Expressway — Rs. 5,031.28 million
• Outer Circular Expressway — Rs. 4,347.32 million
• Colombo–Katunayake Expressway — Rs. 3,355.12 million
• Southern Expressway Extension — Rs. 2,019.45 million
• Central Expressway — Rs. 1,576.97 million

Minister Bimal Rathnayake briefed the Parliament today (20), responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake. (Newswire)

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The entrance towards Colombo at the Welipenna interchange of the Southern Expressway has been temporarily closed for light vehicles, the Road Development Authority (RDA) announced.

The RDA said that the decision was taken after the interchange became submerged in water.

However, the RDA confirmed that heavy vehicles heading towards Colombo, as well as all vehicles travelling towards Matara, continue to operate through the interchange as usual. (Newswire)

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The Road Development Authority (RDA) has called on motorists to pay close attention to cautionary messages displayed on electronic boards along the expressway as adverse weather continues to affect driving conditions.

The RDA noted that poor weather has brought darkness and mist even during daytime hours, advising drivers to switch on their headlights while travelling.

The RDA further instructed motorists to maintain speeds within the 60 km/h limit, keep safe distances between vehicles, and avoid sudden braking at high speeds, which could lead to accidents.

The advisory comes as heavy rain and mist reduce visibility on Sri Lanka’s expressways. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved the next phase of the Central Expressway, covering the Rambukkana–Galagedara stretch, with full government funding amounting to Rs. 112 billion, Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake said.

According to Minister Rathnayake, the project will be financed entirely by the Government of Sri Lanka without resorting to new loans, marking a significant milestone in the country’s economic recovery.

“The ultimate proof of our economic recovery. What was once a distant dream is now a funded reality thanks to the Ministry of Finance’s strategic leadership over the last 18 months,” the minister said in a post on ‘X’.

The Rambukkana–Galagedara section forms a critical part of the Central Expressway project, which aims to strengthen connectivity between Colombo and Kandy. (Newswire)

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The Road Development Authority (RDA) reports that Sri Lanka’s expressways generated more than Rs. 441 million in revenue during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, covering the eight‑day period from April 10 to 18.

According to reports, RDA Director General Anuradha Hettiarachchi said a total of 1,170,830 vehicles used the expressways during this period. 

He noted that April 10, which marked the start of the festive season, recorded the highest traffic volume, with 161,847 vehicles exiting the expressways.

According to Hettiarachchi, that day also produced the highest revenue, amounting to Rs. 59,815,450. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s expressway network generated over Rs. 163 million in revenue between April 10 and April 12, according to the Road Development Authority.

Director General Anuradha Hettiarachchi said a total of 434,338 vehicles used the expressways during the three-day period.

On April 12 alone, revenue reached Rs. 45 million, the RDA said.

The authority also urged motorists to report any emergencies encountered on expressways to its 1969 hotline. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake says the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to take action against the driver of a container who was seen recklessly driving and harassing the driver of a bus on the expressway.

Video footage shows the container forcing the bus out of its lane and driving dangerously close, pushing the vehicle toward the railings.

Addressing the issue in Parliament, Minister Ratnayake pointed out that several accidents are a cause of the reckless behaviour of drivers, including drugs and alcohol consumption, racing, and sleeplessness. 

“Even recently, we saw a container edge a bus out of its way for blocking its path and putting a small part. We have informed the IGP to arrest the container driver,” he said. 

Minister Ratnayake further said that a special licence, identified as the Public Transport Licence, is being introduced to minimise these kinds of actions.

“All drivers engaged in public transportation, including school and taxi services, will be required to obtain this licence. It will be granted following a 2-day training period. It will be made mandatory to get a PT Licence in the future. Passenger transport licences can be obtained after the age of 25, but school transportation licences will be granted only after the age of 30,” he said.

Minister Ratnayake further revealed that the licence demerit system will also be introduced, where points will be deducted for every traffic violation, and eventually cancelled for those identified as committing continuous wrongdoing. 

He added that the said regulations will be legalized within the next two months. (Newswire)

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A container truck was seen driving dangerously on an expressway, forcing a bus toward the side rail despite the bus slowing down to give way.

Video footage circulating on social media shows the container truck moving aggressively alongside the bus, leaving the bus with little room to manoeuvre as it was pushed toward the edge of the lane.

According to witnesses, the bus had already reduced speed to allow the container vehicle to pass, but the truck continued to encroach into the bus’s lane, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.

No injuries were reported in the incident, and the bus was able to continue its journey without damage.

However, the footage has sparked outrage online, with social media users calling for stricter enforcement against reckless driving . (Newswire)

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