Electrical wires, copper wires, and light poles worth 1,770 million stolen from the Katunayake Expressway

According to a 2024 report issued by the Auditor General's Department of Sri Lanka, it has been revealed that massive thefts on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway have resulted in a loss exceeding 1,770 million rupees.

Approximately one hundred incidents of theft of electrical cables, copper wires, and light poles have been reported on this expressway during the period from 2021 to 2023. Of these, a loss of 580 million rupees has been calculated for only eleven incidents, while the exact value for the remaining eighty-nine thefts has not yet been assessed.

Field investigations have confirmed that the main reason for the ease with which the electrical cable system installed in the middle of this road could be cut and removed is that it was not secured with a complete concrete cover. The failure to implement proper security measures since the first theft was reported in 2021 and the lack of adequate action by the relevant authorities have directly contributed to the continuous occurrence of these crimes.

Based on engineering assessment reports for the first ten kilometers, audit officials point out that the cost to restore the damage incurred across the entire road will exceed 1,770 million rupees. It has also been particularly observed that despite such a large amount of national wealth being destroyed, the responsible individuals have not been properly identified, and necessary legal action has not been taken. Amidst all this, Cabinet approval has also been granted for a new lighting renovation project, costing 1.0985 billion rupees, which is scheduled to be implemented by June 2026.