Nearly 40 per cent of the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway has been completed so far, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday.
The Minister instructed officials to pay special attention to traffic congestion issues previously identified along the Colombo–Kandy road, as well as at expressway entry and exit points, in order to minimise inconvenience to motorists during the construction period.
He made these remarks while inspecting ongoing development work on the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch, which forms the first phase of the Central Expressway project.
Although agreements for the project were signed in 2015, construction commenced only in 2020 and was later completely halted due to the severe economic crisis triggered by failed economic policies, according to officials.
Following the appointment of the new government, discussions were resumed between the Ministry of Transport and the Chinese government, leading to the approval of a loan to complete the remaining work. Construction activities were subsequently restarted on 17 September 2025.
