April 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s expressway network has recorded a sharp rise in traffic and revenue over the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, bringing in Rs. 134 million over the course of just three days, according to the Expressway Maintenance and Management Division.
The uptick in usage was observed between April 11 and 13, a period marked by widespread travel across the island as families journeyed to and from their hometowns to celebrate the traditional New Year.
A total of 387,000 vehicles were recorded passing through the island’s key expressways during this short window.
Data provided by the authorities revealed that the bulk of the income—exceeding Rs. 100 million—was generated during the first two days alone (April 11 and 12), with nearly 298,000 vehicles using the network within that span.
This high volume reflects both the increased mobility during the festive season and the growing reliance on the expressway system for long-distance travel, particularly as drivers seek faster, more convenient alternatives to congested trunk roads.
Officials have attributed the revenue boost not only to the sheer volume of vehicles, but also to improved toll collection systems, efficient traffic management, and enhanced public confidence in the safety and reliability of the expressway network.
The New Year season traditionally marks one of the busiest periods on Sri Lanka’s roads, and the expressway system—linking Colombo with key cities such as Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Katunayake—has played a critical role in easing congestion and shortening travel times.
Authorities also confirmed that additional personnel were deployed at toll booths and interchanges during this peak period to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise delays. Highway police and emergency response teams remained on high alert throughout the holiday to assist motorists and manage any incidents.
