Govt cancels Baseline Road development project

Chaminda Perera

The Government on Thursday decided to cancel the construction of the Baseline Road development project phase III and return lands acquired by the Government to its original owners with immediate effect.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the Cabinet approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Highways and Highways Development Minister to cancel the Baseline Road Development project phase III and release lands acquired by the State to its former owners.

The Cabinet has decided to widen and develop the existing road network from Kirulapona to Ratmalana including the Horana-Colombo road and High Level road to ease traffic congestion with the cancelling of the Baseline road Development Project Phase III.

The memorandum has also sought Cabinet approval to introduce a viable mechanism to return the lands acquired by the State to implement this project.