President emphasises need for national policy on highways

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday emphasised the need for a national highways policy that does not change from time to time when the construction of expressways is being carried out.

The President made these remarks at the progress review meeting of the Road Development Authority at the president’s office.

President Sirisena also asked about the ongoing construction work of expressways, renovation work of roads and the construction of new roads as well as their financial situation.

During the meeting the Chairman of the Road Development Authority stated that the construction of the section from Meerigama to Kurunegala and the section from Kadawatha to Meerigama will be completed by September 2019 and 50% of the construction work on the section from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya will be completed by the end of this year. 

The President also questioned officials in detail regarding the allegations levelled by the media regarding the misdeeds that had occurred when carrying out construction work on the Southern Expressway and the Central Expressway projects, and instructed officials of the Road Development Authority to correct the accusations levelled against them by conducting a press conference or providing accurate information to the media in a transparent manner. 

At present, the plan for the Northern Expressway has been formulated under the road development projects in the Northern and Eastern provinces and the Indian Government has expressed its consent to provide loans for this project.

The President also instructed officials to expeditiously prepare a plan to construct a highway or a high standard road that would ease access between the East and Colombo.

President Sirisena also inquired about the ways the funds received for road development and flyover projects were being used and instructed officials to expedite the payment of compensation for those who lost their lands due to the construction of the expressway.

The President also highlighted the importance of preparing plans for the construction of expressways, giving prominence to minimising the pressure on the public and implementing projects which were suitable for the country’s economy as well as reducing environmental damage.

The President inquired about the progress of road development activities carried out under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa (Awakening of Polonnaruwa)’ District Development Project and the progress of the construction work on the Colombo, Kadawatha and Nittambuwa road and paid attention to delays in carrying out these activities and instructed officials to resolve these issues immediately.

President Sirisena said that road development was of vital importance in the development of the rural economy and he also explained the importance of the construction of non-expressway roads when uplifting the lives of the rural population.

Construction work on the Ganemulla, Polgahawela and Rajagiriya flyovers under the Spanish flyover project is in its final phase. 

Road development activities are being carried out in the Kottawa and Godagama areas under loan facilities from Saudi Arabia and OPEC.

The Ministry of Highways is planning to carry out elevated roads for entry into the port under the Asian Development Bank loan facility. 

Minister Lakshman Kiriella, State Minister Dilan Perera, Secretary to the President Austin Fernando, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education and Highways, the Chairman of the Road Development Authority and other officials participated in this meeting.