Munza Mushtaq in Colombo,  Tue Feb 14 11:27:35 EST 2006

    The Sri Lankan Government will make an application shortly requesting
a soft loan of US $ 200 million from the Chinese Government to
complete the construction of the abandoned Colombo-Katunayake
expressway.

The expressway which is set to complete construction by 2007 will see
an average speed limit of between 80 kilometres to 110 kilometres per
hour.

Full Story


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- The Academic

Another begging   .We are certified begger nation.Get the money and lose them to corruption  

Hmm, Let's see,  How many new Pajeros will we see? how much of the aid project will be utilized for real work?
And if you come to Colombo, you will see how vulgarly opulent the rulers and their henchmen live you will think we are Monaco.  Corruption, not paying taxes and black money are galore. Check the BMWs, Volvos and even Lexuses!! We in Colombo are rich.

SL has no qualms about begging, does it? Excellent role model for all Lankan kids. Given the efforts of almost all Asian countries to grab a share of the hi-tech boom, it is most refreshing to see a country proud to remain a nation of beggars, maids, garment workers, and a consistent supplier of low IQ labour to the world.

Why these expressways planned in Sri Lanka are given so many names such as Colombo--Matara, Colombo-Katunayake, Katunayake-Anuradhapura etc ??

At the present development level of the country - expressways are not required within Colombo or Katunayake airport areas.

These extressways planned already and to be constructed within next 15 should have been named as North South Extressway 1. It should pass through undevelopped (cheaper land) areas from Matara to Anuradhapura or further north, and should have interchanges to major roads A class roads crossing it - such as Colombo Kandy Road (including airport access), Col Ratnapura Highlevel Rd, Kurunegala Chillaw Rd etc. In addition an Outer Colombo Ring Road/Expressway is needed.

The next stages of expressways (to implement in 25~50 yrs) can include one or two West-East expressways and another North-South expressway on the eastern side of the country passing through Polonnaruwa/Badulla/Hambantota areas.

Obtaining funds for building of expressways is not enough. Adequate funds should be allocated for regular maintenance. The cost must be passed onto the user through road tolls. Typically the JVP/trade union types who always want a free meal will oppose it. However, if the idea is to have good quality roads that people can travel without constantly dodging pot-holes then its essential someone has to pay for maintaining them.

It does not matter how fast you arrive at Katunayake, once you get there you'll usually find the whole world sleeping!  I am wodering having an "Expressway" is worthwhile after all.

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Systemx -
Toll Expressways may not be feasible in Sri Lanka, as I know all these expressways currently planned (one being constructed) are just at ground level and not on elevated viaducts or underground tunnels. Knowing the "free-meal" mentality people will find easy ways to bypass the toll area and get back to expressway as there is no continuous fencing is planned along these routes. At present only few people are paying parking fees in Colombo.

Even if toll gate stations are provided - there can be several kms of vehicle que-up as the cashiers will not have change money.

When its come to begging SriLankan is way behind many other nations,including CHINA  
Cinese and Indians are the biggest ODA receivers( According to Japanese media and some politicians ) in the world .Then there is uncle SAM,another well known begger..Begging thing is a cycle,which basically involve many subjects

Some times Begging cycle goes like this ,

Japanese government begs from Its people and private companies
Chinese governemn,Indean government t begs from Japan
Pakisthani government begs from China
and  finally we beg from all  

lankaputhra wrote:

 At present only few people are paying parking fees in Colombo.

Obviously u havent visited Colombo for a long time..Or you have never heard about  police being very strict on illegal parking..The problem in colombo is not the peoples un-willingness to use valid parkins,its the LACK of Parking places..Many srilankans are willingly to park their vehicles in proper parkings with proper security. we can see this quite clearly in many places in colombo.

lankaputhra wrote:

Toll Expressways may not be feasible in Sri Lanka, as I know all these expressways currently planned (one being constructed) are just at ground level and not on elevated viaducts or underground tunnels.

lankaputhra,

I am surprised to hear that there wont be any fencing, especially when you have cats, dogs and cattle crossing roads everywhere. There are companies out there who build and invest in toll roads. You can also automate toll collection. But then again there is the cost factor. Bottom line is, funds should be raised to keep these roads in good nick. If not, they will end up like everything else that get built with a lot of hype and neglected over time.

The politicians are begging not complete the construction work, rather to fill their pocket. As per the ADB only 20% to 30% of the funds are utilised for the intended purposes. The balance ......  

iwazaki - I agree that due to lack of paid parking areas people have to do illegal parking. If there is good metro transport system most people will nor bring cars to the city.

Systemx - my understanding on fencing/toll gates is based on the project descriptions given in ministry of highways website (www.mohsl.gov.lk). There is no mention on such facilities. In most countries railways are fenced and provided with foot bridges for people to cross and under/over passes for road crossings. For SLankan railways - I dont think it is feasible.

Without war mongering, find ways for peace in Sri lanka.  Then we do not beg at all.   But when everyone thinks of mother Lanka without Race, religion or caste then peace would come automatically.


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Be patriotic .. think of the motherland