The Mirigama to Kurunegala stretch of the Central Expressway is due to be vested with the public at an event to be graced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday, November 28. The 39.7 km stretch of road will feature four lanes and five interchanges at Mirigama, Nakalagamuwa, Dambokka, Kurunegala and Yaggapitiya.
The Mirigama to Kurunegala stretch of the Central Expressway will enable the public to travel approximately 39.7 kilometres between the two points within 25 minutes. The Expressway which will link Colombo to Kandy will be a boon for those who travel from Colombo to Kandy, Kurunegala and Dambulla. The Central Expressway Project has been divided into four sections: Section 1 from Kadawatha to Mirigama is approximately 37 km, Section 2 from Mirigama to Kurunegala is about 39.7 km while the stretch from Mirigama to Ambepussa is approximately 9.1 km, Section 3 from Pothuhera to Galagedara is about 32.5 km, and Section 4 from Kurunegala to Dambulla is approximately 60.3 km. Then President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched construction work on the Central Expressway on December 14, 2014 by laying a foundation stone at the Senkadagala entrance of the Expressway. Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament recently that the entire Central Expressway would be completed within the next two years. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately Rs. 200 billion. Responding to a question raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakman Kiriella in Parliament regarding the Central Expressway, Minister Fernando said the former Good Governance Government had failed to commence work on the Central Expressway section from Kadawatha to Mirigama for over five years, adding that they had carried out the construction work on the Central Expressway in a haphazard manner where there was no beginning or no end.