New authority relating to expressways, to be established

The government would establish an authority named 'Expressway Development Authority' to deal with the activities related to expressways, Port and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said in Parliament yesterday.

He also revealed that the construction of the Southern Expressway from Galle to Matara and the outer circular road of Colombo, would be completed by 2013.

The Deputy Minister also said that the legal framework to establish the Expressway Development Authority is now being drafted. He observed that the Authority would take legal action against violators of the laws and regulations of the expressway.

He also said that the Southern Expressway would be connected to Colombo-Katunayake and Colombo-Kandy roads by 2013.

The Deputy Minister made these observations participating in the debate on regulations under the National Thoroughfares Act.