EU reconstructs Matara-Wellawaya road

Harshini Perera

The road reconstructed by the European Union (EU) will provide accessibility to the areas in keeping with the economic development and the reconstruction of tsunami affected areas. The Matara-Wellawaya (A002) road will help people by providing more access and preventing additional costs on fuel and time, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Ambassador, Bernard Savage told a press conference to hand over the Matara-Wellawaya road.

The Matara-Wellawaya road constructed at a cost of Rs 4.6 billion from the European Commission to Sri Lanka was handed over by Bernard Savage to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last week.

The Matara-Wellawaya road that spanned 158 kilometres was damaged by the 2004 tsunami. Rehabilitation was carried out through the implementation of the highest international standards in keeping with the national requirements which includes road widening, elevation, improvement of side drains and culverts, reconstruction of damaged bridges and new bridges as well. Twenty-nine damaged bridges were reconstructed while eight were constructed. The project improved 46 kilometres of side drains and 190 culverts.

The completion of this road has linked a number of national and provincial road networks, thereby significantly improving the economic benefits while strengthening the social and cultural ties between communities, he said.

In addition to the Matara-Wellawaya road, a 78 kilometre road from Siyambalanduwa to Akkaraipattu via Pottuvil was undertaken to be rehabilitated by the European Union with co-financing from the Asian Development Bank to the tune of Rs. 3.8 billion.

Ministry of Highways and Road Development Secretary Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda told the media that the transportation system of a country plays a major role in the development of the country because it enhances the living standards of people.