Four lane Rs. 4,700 million Rajagiriya flyover declared open

President Maithripala Sirisena today declared open the Rajagiriya flyover which the Government says will?provide a long term solution to the heavy traffic congestion in the Rajagiriya area.

Even though the construction work on the flyover was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, steps were taken under the guidance of the President to complete the construction 11 months ahead of schedule for the convenience of the public.

The construction work on the flyover commenced in the year 2016 jointly by a Spanish company and a local company and the project cost Rs. 4,700 million.

The total length of the flyover is 533 meters and the total width, 21.4 meters, and comprises of total of four lanes, two lanes each way.

In parallel to this project, several roads around the Rajagiriya area will be developed and an alternative road towards Narahenpita will be developed while the road towards Buthgamuwa will also be developed.

The President and the Prime Minister cutting the ribbon amidst chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha declared open the flyover. President Sirisena also unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the flyover.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that the flyover can be considered as one of the most significant road development projects expeditiously completed by the present Government for the benefit of the people.

President Sirisena recalled that the people of this country elected him as the Head of State on January 8, 2015 to commence a new journey ending an era where democracy, freedom, social rights and fundamental rights deteriorated. The President also said that he was able to elevated the image of? Sri Lanka internationally, while overcoming many challenges which prevented the country moving forward over the past three years.

President Sirisena suggested that it is appropriate to name the flyover to honour the Venerable?Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero,?who was one of the pioneers in the January 08 revolution.

The flyover, built using high standard modern technology as well as in accordance with high quality engineering, is the first flyover constructed in Sri Lanka filling concrete surfaces on metal.

Prime?Minister?Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers and MPs including Lakshman Kiriella,Champika Ranawaka, Vajira Abeywardena, Mahinda Amaraweera,?State Minister Dilan Perera? and Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva participated on this occasion. (Colombo Gazette)