Alternative entry point to OCE from Biyagama mulled

By Ranil Wijayapala

The Highways Ministry is considering an alternative entry point to the Outer Circulation Expressway(OCE) from the Biyagama side and to open an entry point towards Kadawatha from Kothalawala. This comes in the wake of the inundation of the entry-exit point to the Outer Circulation expressway in Kaduwela, Ministry Secretary D.C. Dissanayake said.

He said floods of this nature had been reported after 28 years. Vehicular traffic entering the expressway from Kaduwela was badly affected.

“As a solution, we are considering to open an entry point to the expressway towards Kadawatha from the Kothalawala entry-exit point too,” he said.

At present, only vehicles to Kottawa and Matara can enter the expressway from Kothalawala using the Kaduwela–Malabe road.

The Ministry has also focussed attention on elevating the Athurugiriya-Malabe road, as these vehicles entering the entry-exit point could not use it as the Malabe-Athurugiriya road was submerged.

“Now the Pore entry-exit point could be used to enter the expressway as floods have receded there,” he said. The Road Development Authority will permit vehicles to use the expressway from Kadawatha to Kottawa free until the floods in Kaduwela recede, due to the inconvenience motorists on the Kelaniya and Hanwella side face. He said the Ministry, is now assessing the damage to the road network.

“Attention has been focussed on clearing roads which were blocked due to landslides and floods. The Finance Ministry and funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank have assured financial assistance to repair the damaged roads,” he said.