Ruwanpura Expressway (Sri Lanka)

The Ruwanpura Expressway, also known as the Ratnapura Expressway will be Sri Lanka's sixth E Class highway. The 71.8-kilometre-long (44.6 mi) highway will link the Kahathuduwa exit on the Southern Expressway with Pelmadulla, a major city in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, via Ratnapura, the provincial capital of Sabargamuwa Province.

Ratnapura Expressway
Route information
Maintained by the Road Development Authority
Length71.8 km (44.6 mi)
HistoryConstruction Started
Major junctions
North endKahathuduwa  E01  Southern Expressway
South endPelmadulla  A4 
Location
CountrySri Lanka
ProvincesWestern Province, Sri Lanka, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
TownsHorana, Ingiriya, Kiriella, Kuruwita, Thiruwanaketiya, Ratnapura
Highway system
  • Roads in Sri Lanka

In 2014 President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government proposed and granted approval for the project. It was initially proposed to commence construction in 2014 and to be completed in 2019.[1][2][3][4]

Construction of the highway was then proposed to commence in January 2017 and be built in three stages. The construction contract was awarded to a Chinese Company.[5] The expressway was then proposed to be completed by 2019. [6][7] But constructions were not started.

In 2020, newly elected government cancelled the contract to the Chinese firm and started the construction works of 1st phase 26 kilometre section at a cost of 54.7 billion rupees with domestic finance. Contract was awarded to Sri Lanka–based Maga Constructions.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "President approves construction of new highway via Ratnapura". NewsFirst.lk. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  2. ^ "GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT RUWANPURA EXPRESSWAY". onlanka.com. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Colombo-Ratnapura expressway work to begin soon". onlanka.com. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Government to construct Ruwanpura Expressway". news.lk. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Ruwanpura Expressway contract to a Chinese firm". February 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  6. ^ Range, Irangika (12 July 2014). "Work on Ruwanpura Expressway to begin this year". Daily News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Feasibility study for Colombo-Ratnapura highway completed". Read Sri Lanka. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Sri Lanka PM flags off Rs54bn Ruwanpura Expressway". economynext.com. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.