President opens ‘Gateway to wonder’ on November 27
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the newly built 128 kilometre
Southern Expressway, `Gateway to Wonder’ on November 27. President
Rajapaksa will later address the public at a ceremony at
Kurundugahahethekma, Media Ministry sources said.
Religious dignitaries, ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and
high commissioners will participate in the opening ceremony. The public
will be educated on how to use the expressway over the media from
November 14. A leaflet with guidelines and information will be given to
vehicles entering the highway. A Pirith chanting ceremony will be held
at Queens House on November 16 and 17.
Several events will be held at the expressway on November 24. On this
day, 20,000 cyclists will participate along the expressway for the first
and the last time. The public can walk on the expressway on this day for
the first and the last time. Helitours will organize helicopter rides to
view the expressway from the top. Balloon rides will also be organized,
the sources said.
The minimum toll fee will be Rs. 100. The toll for the full distance
will be Rs 400 for a car. The return toll will be the same. The Gateway
to Wonder starts from Makumbura, Kottawa and ends at Pinnaduwa in Galle.
It allows speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
It will cut down travelling time between Galle and Colombo, the
sources added.
|