Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake has instructed officials to ensure effective traffic management as construction continues on the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway, citing the need to minimise inconvenience to the public.
The Minister made these remarks during an inspection tour of the project site, which marks the first phase of the Central Expressway. Officials briefed him that nearly 40 per cent of the construction work has been completed so far.
Minister Ratnayake paid particular attention to congestion concerns along the Colombo–Kandy road and at expressway entry and exit points, noting that proper planning and coordination are essential to prevent traffic bottlenecks during the remaining construction period.
The Kadawatha–Mirigama project, though initially approved in 2015, faced multiple delays. Construction began in 2020 but was later suspended entirely due to the country’s severe economic crisis, which affected funding and implementation, officials explained.
Following the formation of the new government, discussions were renewed between the Ministry of Transport and the Chinese government, resulting in the approval of a loan to resume the project. Construction work officially restarted on September 17, 2025.
Once completed, the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch is expected to significantly reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion on major roads, particularly the Colombo–Kandy route, while improving overall connectivity in the Central Expressway network.
