RDA to take over provincial, local roads as national highways

Friday, 16 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Road Development Authority (RDA) will take over roads now maintained by Provincial Councils and local government institutions and gazette them as national highways, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday.

He was speaking at the media briefing on decisions taken at Monday’s (12) Cabinet meeting. Dr. Jayatissa said applications to upgrade such roads will be assessed for basic eligibility, technical aspects and relevant criteria. Roads will then be Gazetted on the recommendation of the RDA’s road takeover committee.

The decision follows the report of a committee the Cabinet appointed on 20 July, 2026. That committee was chaired by an Additional Secretary of the Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry. It considered proposals from District Coordinating Committees and recommended how the transfers should be handled, along with the funding and staff needed to maintain the roads.