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by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent

The Kandy-Colombo expressway which will be built with Malaysian Government assistance will attract tourists and investors to the Central Region, which will greatly benefit from this project, said the Minister of Central Region Development Tissa Attanayake at a discussion held at the office of the Ministry of Central Region Development at Getambe in Kandy.

Minister Tissa Attanayake said that this Express way will reduce the distance between Colombo and Kandy to 93 kilometres from the present 116 kilometres. It would take around 75 minutes for this journey. There will be no traffic jams or traffic snarls and people will be able to keep to appointments in time.

Minister Attanayake said that the present Colombo-Kandy road was built over a hundred years ago by the British to meet the requirements of the day which was primarily meant for the transport of produce from the plantations owned by the British companies to the port for shipment. But things have changed vastly since then and we will have to meet the requirements of the present times, where the time factor is very important in a fast changing world where speed and acceleration in any matter is an important ingredient.

He said when investors come they are concerned about the network of roads and the time taken to reach various destinations. They are not prepared to waste their time in traffic blocks and traffic snarls which is encountered at presented at various points. They insist on a good road network and quick travel. With this in view, it is not only the Kandy-Colombo way, but other roads in the Central Region will be rehabilitated. There will be also a Road Week for the improvement of rural roads to connect them with the main roads, so that circuitous travel could be avoided. High spending and other tourists are very concerned of their inland travel and want to reach their destinations quickly. They are not prepared to waste time in traffic jams, hence this Kandy - Colombo expressway should attract them into the country and to travel inland.

The Minister said that the estimated cost of this Kandy-Colombo expressway will be Rs. 30 billion and it will run through some of the most beautiful country side. This highway will also have the first toll system in Sri Lanka where motorists will pay for the usage of this highway. In many places there will be fly ways and in all, it will have 13 entry and exist points. It will be something similar to the Sephang - Kuala Lumpur Express Highway in Malaysia. Once you enter this highway, there will be no turning of the vehicles midway or drive into the parallel lanes meant for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. All safeguards will be taken and once you enter, you could only enter the other lane at the end of the highway. You cannot drive accordingly to your whims and fancies, as rigid regulations will be enforced on this express highway.

Minister Tissa Attanayake also said that it may become necessary to acquire lands for this purpose and he does not anticipate any problems as the owners of these lands will be paid compensation. People will co-operate for the quick implementation of this project.

For example in the widening of the Kandy-Kurunegala road, the people of the area voluntarily handed over their lands. They did not object as it was greatly beneficial to the area and to the country as a whole.

The necessary legislation will be enacted to meet any contingency.

The construction of the Kandy-Colombo expressway will be one of the major development and progressive projects by which the Central Region and the country by and large will benefit. It will be a big incentive for tourists and investors to visit the Central Region.

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