The revenue earned from the Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka’s first ever Expressway which was opened to the public on November, 2011 has risen to Rs.33 billion. According to the Deputy Minister, the Southern Expressway toll fee comes to around Rs.150 million per month.

The Katunayake Expressway which opened on October 2013 has so far earned around Rs.12 billion by way of toll fees.

Minister Kotalawela said that commuters using the two highways have seen a steady increase over time which has resulted in generating higher revenue.  He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed him to accelerate the construction work of the Ratnapura - Colombo Expressway and the Outer Circular Expressway.

Construction work of the 71.8 km long Colombo - Ratnapura Expressway will begin within three months on the instructions of the President, the Deputy Minister further explained.

The construction of this Expressway will lessen the travelling time between the two cities to 45 minutes, he added. (SDF/priu)