MG Consultants signs landmark contract with RDA to build Meerigama-Kurunegala Central Expressway Sec

Thursday, 26 January 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A trail-blazing, 100% Sri Lankan contract to build the much-anticipated Meerigama-Kurunegala section of the Central Expressway by 2019 was signed recently between the Road Development Authority and MG Consultants Ltd., the unanimously appointed lead consultant for the project.

MG Consultants has been providing end-to-end consultancy services since 1998 to complex projects that have contributed to the socio-economic growth of the country.

The Central Expressway will be an access controlled toll expressway from Kadawatha to Dambulla and will be linked from Pothuhera to Galagedera through a link expressway. Section 2 of the Central Expressway from Meerigama to Kurunegala is 39.9 km long and will have four lanes divided two ways with interchanges in Meerigama, Nakalagama, Dambokka and Kurunegala.

The project will be implemented by a consortium of seven Sri Lankan consultancy firms including Engineering Consultants Ltd., Resources Development Consultants Ltd., Consulting Engineers & Architects Associated Ltd., Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, Green Tech Consultants Ltd. and OCYANA Consultant Ltd. and will be led by MG Consultants Ltd.

MG Consultants Managing Director Ranjith Gunaratne explained: “This is the first time that a project of this magnitude has been awarded to an all Sri Lankan team of consultants and this itself is a milestone that the country can be proud of. It speaks eloquently for the way Sri Lanka has rapidly developed its expertise and skills. Now we can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international consultancy firms to implement complex development initiatives that support the nation’s ambitious drive towards sustainable progress.”

Representing the Road Development Authority at the signing were Chairman Nihal Sooriyarachchi, Actg. Director General D. K. Rohitha Swarna, Working Director J. T. S. P. Kariyawasam, Deputy Director S. D. S. Deshapriya and Project Director V. Mohan while Senior Program Director D. D. Mathararachchi represented the Ministry of Higher Education and Highways.

Representing the consortium of consultants were Resources Development Consultants Director – Highways and Transportation K. W. Fernando, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau Deputy General Manager – Roads W.A.D.D. Nandakumara, OCYANA Consultant Ltd. Director Ajith Wanniarachchi, Engineering Consultants Ltd. Managing Director Prabhath Jayasundara, MG Consultants Ltd. Managing Director Ranjith Gunaratne, MG Consultants CEO Nalini Senasekera, Project Deputy Team Leader Prabath Perera and MGC Senior Project Manager Upali Pushpakumara.