Express-Way Updates

[Le Sabre]

Havent heard much news on the southern expressway, colombo-katu , colombo -kandy and outer circular road projects.

Anybody has any updates on these projects so far.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Le Sabre

[HardHat]

When three letters was elected on year 1977 the prices of lands as well as daily workers wages and all other goods were increased.

But they brought to new life to Sri Lanka.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

Fully agree.

With the "new life" the country started to flood with any and every kind of import brought over from every corner of the world, regardless whether those were essential for a country like us or not and regardless whether our economy could afford to import all that luxury. No effort was made to make use of our strategic global location, natural resources or the highly intelligent workforce. Decades on now the local farmers and industries are dead, local entrepreneurs are fighting a loosing battle against cheap imports, country is in debt in Billions of $$ and our soul has been sold to the international 'donors' and 'lenders'.

Of course there were issues of how the things were handled pre-77 which needed sorting out and no govt post-77, including the current one has done half a job in setting the economy on track either, but a careful study of history will reveal at which point this country did a major shift from a moderately self sufficient careful spender to an extravagant 'live beyond your means by many times over'

Edited November 22, 2013 by HardHat

[The Don]

Fully agree.

With the "new life" the country started to flood with any and every kind of import brought over from every corner of the world, regardless whether those were essential for a country like us or not and regardless whether our economy could afford to import all that luxury. No effort was made to make use of our strategic global location, natural resources or the highly intelligent workforce. Decades on now the local farmers and industries are dead, local entrepreneurs are fighting a loosing battle against cheap imports, country is in debt in Billions of $$ and our soul has been sold to the international 'donors' and 'lenders'.

Of course there were issues of how the things were handled pre-77 which needed sorting out and no govt post-77, including the current one has done half a job in setting the economy on track either, but a careful study of history will reveal at which point this country did a major shift from a moderately self sufficient careful spender to an extravagant 'live beyond your means by many times over'

There is some economic sense in building express ways, as it allows you to unlock the potential of the whole country rather than development centered in particular areas (for example, for no particular reason in Hambantota). It speeds up the movement of goods, makes areas more accessible and there are definite economic benefits in that.

If that's the "actual" reason why these projects are being taken on board, I do not know.

But one thing I do know, which is you can't drive economic development through higher taxation and higher regulation coupled with borrowing money left right and center. I read in Asia Week once that the strange nature of the Sri Lankan economy (the fact it hasn't collapsed) is due to in part the foreign workers who supplement our foreign currency reserves particularly from the middle east. With drops in our exports this has become vital in giving Sri Lanka the ability to import essential goods and keep the rupee stable.

But higher taxation reduces disposable income, small investments and ultimately leads to reduced economic activity which stifles growth (even on goods like cars). And as we know the brunt of this weight is born by the middle classes who also pay income tax on PAYE.

BOT was probably the only way these highways could be built as I don't think the state has the financial capacity to take them on any more (one wonders if the money spent on unnecessary harbours, airports and summits which only resulted in bad PR would have been better spent improving rail and road infrastructure). Does anybody know what the expected toll will be?

[Magnum]

I wouldn't think twice and move back to Kandy. Have a house there which I can live much more peacefully than I do in colombo. The rent I pay and the fuel expenditure spent in colombo put together will be able to cover my commute from Kandy to Office in Dematagoda. Plus I start work around 6.am and off by 2.30pm so hope the traffic will be easy too.

However, i don't think it will have a major impact on real estate prices. May be a short term dip in the city and the closer suburbs triggered by people moving away from the city but as the city develops the demand will be higher. Prices in distant suburbs will go higher as mentioned quoting the distance to the expressway entry point.

Cheers,

K9M

If Kandy would develop as much as Colombo, it'll be super awesome.

[Reckless]

There is some economic sense in building express ways, as it allows you to unlock the potential of the whole country rather than development centered in particular areas (for example, for no particular reason in Hambantota). It speeds up the movement of goods, makes areas more accessible and there are definite economic benefits in that.

If that's the "actual" reason why these projects are being taken on board, I do not know.

But one thing I do know, which is you can't drive economic development through higher taxation and higher regulation coupled with borrowing money left right and center. I read in Asia Week once that the strange nature of the Sri Lankan economy (the fact it hasn't collapsed) is due to in part the foreign workers who supplement our foreign currency reserves particularly from the middle east. With drops in our exports this has become vital in giving Sri Lanka the ability to import essential goods and keep the rupee stable.

But higher taxation reduces disposable income, small investments and ultimately leads to reduced economic activity which stifles growth (even on goods like cars). And as we know the brunt of this weight is born by the middle classes who also pay income tax on PAYE.

BOT was probably the only way these highways could be built as I don't think the state has the financial capacity to take them on any more (one wonders if the money spent on unnecessary harbours, airports and summits which only resulted in bad PR would have been better spent improving rail and road infrastructure). Does anybody know what the expected toll will be?

+1 on that

I think the toll will be Rs.400+

[xXx]

Fully agree.

With the "new life" the country started to flood with any and every kind of import brought over from every corner of the world, regardless whether those were essential for a country like us or not and regardless whether our economy could afford to import all that luxury. No effort was made to make use of our strategic global location, natural resources or the highly intelligent workforce. Decades on now the local farmers and industries are dead, local entrepreneurs are fighting a loosing battle against cheap imports, country is in debt in Billions of $$ and our soul has been sold to the international 'donors' and 'lenders'.

Of course there were issues of how the things were handled pre-77 which needed sorting out and no govt post-77, including the current one has done half a job in setting the economy on track either, but a careful study of history will reveal at which point this country did a major shift from a moderately self sufficient careful spender to an extravagant 'live beyond your means by many times over'

HardHat, you have a point but it’s unfair to put the blame solely on JRJ. According to your theory we should blame the Chinese for all the gun violence that’s taking place at present just because they invented gun powder (which they initially used for firework displays).

Yes JRJ opened up the economy, 3 decade ago. But isn’t it the duty and responsibility of the subsequent rulers to control the flow of imports in the form of taxes and levy’s. The harsh truth is none of the post 77 governments had a clear vision for the countries economy. Sadly this was demonstrated again during yesterday’s budget proposal. While casinos are exempted from all forms of taxes, there a 2% nation building tax imposed on bank loans and telecom chargers. Last year there was big hoo haa about making a sports economy, can someone please tell me what progress we’ve made on this front in the past 12 months? (other than a certain individual importing a Areal Atom)

[k9master]

HardHat, you have a point but it’s unfair to put the blame solely on JRJ. According to your theory we should blame the Chinese for all the gun violence that’s taking place at present just because they invented gun powder (which they initially used for firework displays).

Yes JRJ opened up the economy, 3 decade ago. But isn’t it the duty and responsibility of the subsequent rulers to control the flow of imports in the form of taxes and levy’s. The harsh truth is none of the post 77 governments had a clear vision for the countries economy. Sadly this was demonstrated again during yesterday’s budget proposal. While casinos are exempted from all forms of taxes, there a 2% nation building tax imposed on bank loans and telecom chargers. Last year there was big hoo haa about making a sports economy, can someone please tell me what progress we’ve made on this front in the past 12 months? (other than a certain individual importing a Areal Atom)

+1.

Completely agree with you. All of the fancy economic strategies (any strategies presented on anything more likely) have been nothing but mere pictures painted just to get through a few speeches, debates. No follow through till the time the next speech arrives at which point a whole new ridiculous picture is painted.

[Sylvi]

Members,

All members posted had given their different idea about the past.

Sri Lanka no one can stop forward reaction what JRJ activated in that era.

We had benefits, including younger generation under 30 years of age.

Hope future of Sri LANKA AND generations to come will prosper.

So that this blessed island named. Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Back again.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[Komisiripala]

Whatever ^^ he's smoking, I'd like some

[Sylvi]

Komposiripala,

Whatever ^^ he's smoking, I'd like some

Can you inform who? Do not misunderstand my post. This is only for my information.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[Watchman]

hik hik hik!!!!

[hrm]

The construction work on the northern expressway linking Colombo to Kurunegala, Dambulla and Kandy, will begin in January, Minister Nirmala Kotalawala said yesterday.

Under the first phase, the proposed expressway will be linked to the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and will extend up to Kurunegala via Ederamulla and Meerigama, and then extended up to Katugastota in Kandy. The next phase will be the construction of the highway up to Dambulla.

Mr. Kotalawala, who is the Project Minister of Highways, told Daily Mirror that the expressway would be constructed in three stages under the concept ‘Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) with financial assistance from China.

“We will start work in January. We will also open the Galle-Matara stretch of the southern expressway in January. Simultaneously with this opening ceremony, we will start work on extending it up to Hambantota,” he said.

The minister said another expressway had been proposed between Bandaragama and Ratnapura while the stretch of the outer circular road up to Kaduwela would be commissioned in January.

Dailymirror.lk

[Reckless]

Thought the construction was scheduled to start next month. Anyways im not very clear about the path this expressway is planned to be constructed. Deferent people say deferent things. Do we have to go through Kurunegala to reach Kandy?

[hrm]

Seems yes. DM also has a graphic showing the path.

[coolcar]

The construction work on the northern expressway linking Colombo to Kurunegala, Dambulla and Kandy, will begin in January, Minister Nirmala Kotalawala said yesterday.

Under the first phase, the proposed expressway will be linked to the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and will extend up to Kurunegala via Ederamulla and Meerigama, and then extended up to Katugastota in Kandy. The next phase will be the construction of the highway up to Dambulla.

Mr. Kotalawala, who is the Project Minister of Highways, told Daily Mirror that the expressway would be constructed in three stages under the concept ‘Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) with financial assistance from China.

“We will start work in January. We will also open the Galle-Matara stretch of the southern expressway in January. Simultaneously with this opening ceremony, we will start work on extending it up to Hambantota,” he said.
source dailymirror,lk

[abcjayasinghe]

The construction work on the northern expressway linking Colombo to Kurunegala, Dambulla and Kandy, will begin in January, Minister Nirmala Kotalawala said yesterday.

Under the first phase, the proposed expressway will be linked to the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and will extend up to Kurunegala via Ederamulla and Meerigama, and then extended up to Katugastota in Kandy. The next phase will be the construction of the highway up to Dambulla.

Mr. Kotalawala, who is the Project Minister of Highways, told Daily Mirror that the expressway would be constructed in three stages under the concept ‘Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) with financial assistance from China.

“We will start work in January. We will also open the Galle-Matara stretch of the southern expressway in January. Simultaneously with this opening ceremony, we will start work on extending it up to Hambantota,” he said.

source dailymirror,lk

You picked wrong forum, dude! This should be under "News & Update"

Edited November 27, 2013 by abcjayasinghe

[VVTi]

COme on!!!! Are we going to keep opening threads every time a new road starts now????

[Reckless]

This has been already discussed here:

http://forum.autolanka.com/topic/8634-expressway-updates/?p=251625

Edited November 27, 2013 by Reckless

[Watchman]

Off to the garbage with this repeat thread!!

[The Don]

Topics merged

[eyepea]

Anyone has any updated information on the E01 galle to matara section ?

(RDA, Defense websites, etc seems to be not up to date).

Thanks

[Not sure if this is the correct topic on Expressway updates. Can't seem to find any other expressway update topic. There are some links but that gives an error. If this is the wrong topic appreciate if Mods do the needful.]

[Sylvi]

COme on!!!! Are we going to keep opening threads every time a new road starts now????

VVTTi,

I don’t think I do open threads like as new member do. Please get moderators to educate members who join to A/L. In future.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[Reckless]

Anyone has any updated information on the E01 galle to matara section ?

(RDA, Defense websites, etc seems to be not up to date).

Thanks

[Not sure if this is the correct topic on Expressway updates. Can't seem to find any other expressway update topic. There are some links but that gives an error. If this is the wrong topic appreciate if Mods do the needful.]

eyepea, this is the correct and only place to post expressway updates. The E01 extension to Matara was scheduled to open in January but has been postponed to March, the opening will be closely followed by the construction of extension up to Hambantota.

Opening of Galle to Matara expressway put off

Monday, 13 January 2014 18:36

The Government has decided to postpone the opening of the Galle -- Matara section of the Southern Expressway by another month. This section was to be commissioned on January 31 by the President.

This move has been prompted by the delay in completing the access point from Nupe Junction in Matara to Godagama and the landscaping of the stretch of land from Pinnaduwa to Godagama.

Presidential coordinator Ven. Getamanne Gunanada Thera said the opening was scheduled to take place during the first week of March this year.

Government sources indicate that this section of the Southern Expressway would be commissioned before the elections to the Southern Provincial Council.

Meanwhile the delay had attracted a large number of peacocks to this section of the highway and the peacocks entertain the visitors with a colourful dance, which is a wonderful sight for tired eyes. (Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/41560-opening-of-galle-to-matara-expressway-put-off.html

[Sylvi]

eyepea, this is the correct and only place to post expressway updates. The E01 extension to Matara was scheduled to open in January but has been postponed to March, the opening will be closely followed by the construction of extension up to Hambantota.

Reckless,

This is nothing, the present government has to face an election, and therefore they will act as they want. To their requirements.

This is not going to be a free way. They will lose income more they delay.Two express ways opened so far making good income daily.

I use regularly to go to Ja-Ela, newly opened Colombo Katunayake Express way. This Express way is a blessing to residents there.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[esdeez]

Dammit, I was hoping the Matara extension would be done in time for the Eliyakanda Hill Climb :/

[eyepea]

eyepea, this is the correct and only place to post expressway updates. The E01 extension to Matara was scheduled to open in January but has been postponed to March, the opening will be closely followed by the construction of extension up to Hambantota.

ok thanks for the info.