President reviews progress of Southern Expressway in Sri Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday met the officials of Ministry of Ports and Highways and reviewed the progress of Sri Lanka’s first toll highway, Southern Expressway.

The President has said at the progressive meeting yesterday that the Expressway should not be opened until it is completed up to acceptable standards.

He instructed the officials to arrange bus transport in the Southern Expressway only after ensuring the safety of passengers. Also it was decided to make all passengers in buses to wear seat belts compulsory.

Arrangements are being made to open the section of the Expressway from Kottawa in Colombo District to Pinnaduwa in Galle District as early as possible.

The officials informed that the payment counters of the entry points from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa are being constructed now. The 126-kilometer expressway comprises 11 entry points. The first fueling point and the resting place are being constructed at Dodangoda in the Kalutara District.

The officials have also discussed the toll charges and the mechanisms to be undertaken at the meeting.

According to a government media statement three wheelers and motor cycles will be prohibited in the expressway.

Toll charges are to be levied under 4 categories. The 1st category including cars, Vans and Jeeps are to be charged Rs. 400 from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa. Buses and Lories which falls under the 2nd category will be charged a fee of Rs. 700 while heavy vehicles with 10 wheels under the 3rd category will be charged Rs. 1500. Vehicles with over 10 wheels in the 4th category will be charged a toll of Rs. 2000.

The vehicle owners are to be notified on the standards required by the vehicles to be on the Expressway.

The meeting also focused on the extension of the express way up to Hambantota.

Construction on the highway began in 2006 at a cost of $800 million. The Asian Development Bank, Exim Bank of China and the Japan International Cooperation Agency are providing financial assistance for the express highway project.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Deputy Ministers Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Nirmala Kothalawela also attended the discussion.