Colombo, Oct. 27 (Daily Mirror) - The third phase of the Baseline Road Extension Project in Colombo was officially launched today (October 27), with work commencing on the expansion of the Colombo-Horana Main Road section from Kirulapana Junction to Dutugemunu Street.
The project was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara and is scheduled for completion within one and a half years, with the upgraded road expected to be opened to the public in April 2028.
Implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and overseen by the Road Development Authority (RDA), the project is funded by the Government of Sri Lanka at a cost of Rs. 2,886 million.
Under the third phase, a 0.86-kilometre stretch will be upgraded to a six-lane carriageway, with each lane measuring 3.5 metres in width. Dedicated pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes will also be constructed.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Minister Gunasekara said the country had undergone a transformation in its political culture over the past two years, adding that the government was committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring equality before the law.
He said several projects that had been suspended or faced funding difficulties had been revived, while the roads, transport and urban development sectors were being revitalised through structured approaches and strategic planning.
The Deputy Minister said transport, highways and urban development were being integrated into a unified system to improve public safety, provide better facilities and deliver direct benefits to the public.
He added that government funds were being directed towards development projects designed to benefit both communities and the environment, taking into account the needs of children, parents and elderly people.
Gunasekara said development projects were already underway in the Colombo District and other provinces, while plans for several future projects had been finalised. Funding had been secured through the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, project-specific funds and domestic government allocations, he added.
He further said the government intended to implement people-centred development projects over the next three years, with public participation and equal development opportunities for all citizens.
National People's Power (NPP) Colombo District MPs Devananda Suraweera and Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Mayor Parakum Shantha, RDA Director General Anuradha Hettiarachchi, Baseline Road Project Unit Head Thushari Dhananjani, Resident Engineer Sugeeth Samarasinghe, MAGA Chairman Mega Kularatne and the company's CEO Piyadasa Madarasingha attended the event.
Other public and private sector officials and members of the public were also present.
