The Cabinet has granted approval to resume land acquisition and previously suspended construction activities on Phase IV of the Central Expressway, covering the stretch from Kurunegala to Dambulla.
According to the government, Cabinet approval was initially granted in March 2023 to proceed with the payment of the remaining compensation for the plots of land already acquired under Phase IV of the project. It was also decided that plots of land for which compensation had not yet been paid would be released, in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.
The physical progress of Phase IV currently stands at 73.2%.
The completion of this phase has been deemed critical to enhancing both the quality and capacity of the road network connecting the Northern, North Central, Eastern, and Central provinces. It is also essential for realizing the full range of benefits expected from the overall Central Expressway project.
In light of these factors, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport and Highways to resume land acquisition and construction activities on the Kurunegala–Dambulla section of the expressway.
