Approval for the Kurunegala-Dambulla Expressway

Cabinet approval has been received for the construction of Stage IV of the Central Expressway Project, which is the road section from Kurunegala to Dambulla, stated Cabinet Media Spokesperson, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The Minister also stated that Stage IV, a 58.6 km section from Kurunegala to Dambulla, is scheduled to be implemented to achieve the full expected benefits of the entire Central Expressway.

Approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on June 9, 2025, for the acquisition of identified lands for the construction of that stage. The physical progress of the land acquisition process is 73%, and further compensation payments are required for land acquisition.

Accordingly, to expedite the construction of Stage IV of the Central Expressway Project, which is the road section from Kurunegala to Dambulla, the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development is to identify a suitable funding source for the implementation of this stage and allocate the necessary provisions accordingly.

As this stage runs through geo-technically sensitive areas, preliminary and technical investigations, slope stability, and landslide risk assessments will be carried out by the National Building Research Organisation before commencing construction. As this stage crosses several major and minor waterways, the proposal submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development for the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation to carry out hydrological designs, flood risk assessments, and storm water management plans has been approved by the Cabinet.