President opens Rajagiriya flyover

President Maithripala Sirisena opened the Rajagiriya flyover yesterday, which will provide a long-term solution to the severe traffic congestion in the Rajagiriya area.

Even though construction work on the flyover was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, steps were taken under the guidance of the President to complete construction 11 months ahead of schedule for the convenience of the public.

Construction work on the flyover commenced in 2016 and was led jointly by both a local and Spanish company. The project cost Rs. 4,700 million. 

The total length of the flyover is 533 metres and the total width is 21.4 metres. It comprises of total of four lanes, with two lanes going each way.

In parallel with this project, several roads around the Rajagiriya area will be developed and an alternative road towards Narahenpita will be developed while the road towards Buthgamuwa will be developed with a total of three lanes. 

The flyover was built using modern technology in accordance with high-quality engineering practices. It will be added to our roadways history as the first flyover constructed by filling concrete surfaces on metal. During times of heavy congestion in Rajagiriya, the speed of the vehicles moving along this road is slower than 2 kilometres per hour and following the completion of this flyover the speed limits of the vehicles are expected to increase eightfold. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was also present alongside the President to declare the flyover open. 

Addressing the gathering, the President said that this flyover could be considered one of the most significant road development projects expeditiously completed by the present Government for the benefit of the people. President Sirisena recalled that the people of this country elected him as the Head of State on 8 January 2015 to commence a new journey ending an era where democracy, freedom, social rights and fundamental rights were deteriorated. The President also said that he was able to better the international image of Sri Lanka, while overcoming many challenges which obstruct the country’s progress during the past three years. 

President Sirisena suggested that it was appropriate to name this flyover in honour of Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, who was one of the pioneers of the 8 January revolution. – Pix by Sudath Silva and Ruwan Walpola