President reviews the progress of Sri Lanka's highway projects

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of highways met officials of the Highways Ministry at its premises today and reviewed the progress of the highway projects within the past 6 years and discussed the future plans.

The President revealed that the Finance Ministry had granted 102 billion rupees in funds, requested by the Highways Ministry as the Ministry handles more than 50 percent of the development work in the country.
He emphasized the need to improve the highway network in the country and called the officials to dedicate themselves to pass on the dividends of development through a proper road network.

Informing of the progress on various highway projects currently undertake, the Ministry officials have told the President that about 855 kilometers of roads had been developed under the "Maga Neguma" project last year surpassing the expected target.

According to the officials construction of the Matara-Colombo expressway is in the final phase and near completion. The expressway may be opened for public in June.

The Katunayake-Colombo expressway which is about 30 percent completed will be ready by 2012, the officials told the President.

Deputy Ministers Nirmala Kotalawala, Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and other senior officials of the Ministry were present at the meeting.