May 12, Colombo (LNW): The government has granted approval for the next stage of the Central Expressway project, with the Rambukkana–Galagedara segment set to move forward under a fully state-funded investment plan valued at Rs. 112 billion.
Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that the entire cost of the project will be borne by the Treasury, eliminating the need for fresh external borrowing at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to stabilise its economy and reduce dependence on foreign debt.
Describing the decision as a major turning point for national infrastructure development, the minister said the project reflected growing financial confidence and improved fiscal management by the government over the past year and a half.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Rathnayake noted that a project once considered financially out of reach had now become achievable due to what he described as disciplined economic planning and strategic intervention by the Finance Ministry.
The Rambukkana–Galagedara section is regarded as one of the most important components of the Central Expressway network, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Colombo and Kandy while improving transport efficiency for trade, tourism and regional development.
Officials say the new phase is also expected to generate employment opportunities during construction and ease traffic congestion along existing road corridors connecting the hill country to the Western Province.