Colombo-Katunayake expressway construction in 2006

by Rajmi Manatunga

Construction of the Colombo-Katunayake expressway will resume next year with the financial assistance of the Chinese Government.

Highways Ministry Secretary S. Amarasekere told the Daily News that after calling fresh tenders a Chinese contractor has been awarded the construction of the 24 kilometre expressway.

"We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with MCC, the Chinese contractor. Once the contractor submits its proposals regarding the project we will be able to commence the construction," he said. Work on the Katunayake expressway which runs from Peliyagoda to Katunayake came to a halt in 2003.

Agreements were signed between the Sri Lankan and Chinese governments to fund the project during President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's visit to China in August.

The estimated cost of the Colombo-Katunayake expressway project is around US $ 155 million.

Amarasekere said they expected to complete the entire project within three years.