Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday that the Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka’s first expressway, was marred by political interference and irregularities during its early development.
Responding to a query from SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena regarding the placement of interchanges along the expressway, Minister Ratnayake alleged that the original design and feasibility studies were altered under political pressure, compromising the integrity of the project.
He further revealed that the expressway currently has only one designated rest area, which had been leased out for 99 years at a nominal rate of Rs.10,000. He claimed that during the Rajapaksa administration, proposed rest stops were deliberately omitted and interchanges were instead constructed to provide direct access to private residences of politically connected individuals.
During the debate, SJB MP Ajith P. Perera raised additional concerns regarding the lack of an interchange at Pelpola, located between the Gelanigama and Dodangoda interchanges. Perera pointed out that Pelpola had been earmarked as the location for an investment zone, and with ongoing development in nearby Galpatha, an interchange is crucial for improving regional access and economic benefits for Kalutara residents.
In response, Minister Ratnayake stated that the Pelpola-Millaniya interchange is not part of the current expressway expansion plan due to an estimated construction cost of nearly Rs.1,000 million. However, he confirmed that the proposal remains under active discussion, with Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti also supporting the need for its inclusion in future development phases.
