Sri Lanka to call bids from contractors for Central Expressway’s Kurunegala-Dambulla stretch after the Cabinet approved the procurement process for the first phase of the fourth stage of the highway project, paving the way for construction to begin using government funding and local contractors.
Sri Lanka to call bids from contractors for Central Expressway’s Kurunegala-Dambulla stretch
The Cabinet has approved the launch of the procurement process for Phase 1 of Phase 4 of the Central Expressway Project, covering the section from Kurunegala to Galewela. The project will be financed by the Government of Sri Lanka and implemented through local contractors, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said the Government had decided to split the fourth phase of the Central Expressway Project into two stages to facilitate implementation.
“It has been decided to implement Phase 4 of the Central Expressway Project in two phases and to implement Phase 1 of the 38.5-kilometre road section from Kurunegala to Galewela using funds from the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said.
The approved section extends from kilometre 78+000 to kilometre 116+500, forming a key segment of the planned expressway network that is expected to strengthen road connectivity between the North Western and Central Provinces.
According to the Government, the procurement process will prioritize local contractors, providing domestic construction companies with the opportunity to undertake one of the country’s major highway infrastructure developments.
Jayatissa said the Cabinet had approved the proposal to initiate procurement procedures specifically to enable the implementation of the first phase through Sri Lankan construction firms.
“The proposal to implement the procurement process to enable the implementation of Phase 1 of the Central Expressway Project Phase 4 to be implemented through local contractors was approved by the Cabinet,” he said.
The Government’s decision reflects a broader policy of increasing the participation of domestic construction companies in large-scale public infrastructure projects while utilizing government financing for strategic investments.
The Central Expressway Project is one of Sri Lanka’s flagship transport infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving connectivity between Colombo and key regions in the country’s interior. Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel times, improve freight movement, support regional economic development, and enhance access to commercial and tourism destinations.
The latest Cabinet approval marks the beginning of the tendering process for the Kurunegala-Galewela section, with bidding expected to commence following the publication of procurement documents. The project is also expected to generate employment opportunities within Sri Lanka’s construction sector while supporting the growth of local engineering and contracting firms.
The decision to call bids from contractors for Central Expressway’s Kurunegala-Dambulla stretch represents another step in advancing the country’s long-term transport infrastructure agenda through locally funded and locally executed development projects.