Construction of shortest route from Badulla to Kandy Raja Mawatha begins

State Minister Nimal Lanza (centre) and other dignitaries at the road construction launch

Construction work on the first phase of the road from Haliela to Maspanna on the Badulla-Kandy Raja Mawatha road, the shortest and alternative route from Badulla to Raja Mawatha, commenced Oct.24 under the patronage of State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza.

At the request of Minister of Labour, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Parliamentary Deputy Government Whip Dilan Perera, construction work on the road began.

This road can be used by the people to travel from Badulla to Kandy Raja Mawatha after the construction of the section from Haliela to Ketawala, Maspanna, Keerthi Bandarapura in line with the national program of developing 100,000 km under the “Vision of Prosperity” program built by the President.

As the first phase, the construction of a 25 km stretch from Haliela to Maspanna was commenced. This is expected to cost around Rs. 1,375 million.

This road has a long history dating back to 1634 AD. This is the route used by King Kumarasinghe, a local leader who ruled Uva from 1634 to 1638 AD, from Badulla to Rajawasala in Kandy. The commencement of construction of the dilapidated road after 13 years is a solution to a major problem faced by the people of this area.

Minister of State Nimal Lanza addressing the gathering said,

“There are 12,500 km of A and B roads. 8,500 km of it has been completed. A decision has been taken to complete the remaining 4,000 km under the Road Development Authority within the next two years. Also, there are 16,800 km of C and D roads. Out of this 8,600 km of roads have been completed. Another 8,000 km have to be built. The construction of these roads will be completed within the next two years under the Provincial Road Development Authority.

Badulla District Parliamentarians Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Sudarshana Denipitiya, Former Uva Provincial Council Minister Sendil Thondaman, Haliela Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Nimal Senanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Highways RWR Pemasiri, Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama, Uva Provincial Project Director of the Road Development Authority TKM Galappaththi and several  others participated in the occasion.