Sri Lanka’s Future Expressways.

As YAMU expands our coverage island-wide, the question we ask is ‘where next?’ One major factor is where the roads go. While we hope for good trains and more accessible transport, expressways are still the quickest way to network the country. So where will the next Expressways go? Based on public information, these are our best guesses. 

Animated GIF:

Right Now

The South 1.5 hours

Right now, the Southern Expressway (E01) is operational, and has been for years. This toll road has made Galle and now Matara nearly suburbs of Colombo. This means that you can live beachside in Unawatuna and still be back in Colombo within a few hours.

Matara is a bit further but it has some beautiful architecture, nearby beaches and is actually a charming urban space. The Expressway also has a planned extension to Hambantota coming up soon. While there isn’t much to do in Hambantota, this does make Arugam Bay, Ella, and Yala much more accessible.

Negombo 30 minutes

The other transport change has been the Katunayake Expressway (E03), connecting Colombo to the Airport, but also to Negombo. The main strip in Negombo probably has a higher concentration of restaurants and bars than any place in Colombo and it’s a fun place for a day (or night) trip.

As the Outer Circular Road (E02) connects these two expressways, this also means that tourists and locals will be able to bypass Colombo traffic entirely and connect to places like Galle. 


In Five Years

Kandy 1 hour

The Kandy road is currently one of the most frustrating in Sri Lanka. Kandy is only 117 km away but it can easily take four hours — hours requiring constant attention and tension.

A Central Expressway (E04) to alleviate this drama was proposed in 2002, launched by Mahinda Rajapaksa in November 2014, scheduled for 2018 and then sort of stalled post-election. They actually called it a Northern Expressway, but that was jumping the gun a bit. A connection to Kandy and the central provinces is what’s most needed, and this is the project the current government has resumed, calling it a Central Expressway.

A less-than-two-hour connection to Kandy would be a game-changer. Besides people with homes or family in Kandy, the hill city is a beautiful place for an overnight stay. With better transport perhaps the town could also support more than a handful of bars and restaurants.

Of course, no Expressway will make the congestion within Kandy better. The proposed exit in Katugastota, however, could also take you direct to Knuckles, scenic but also not so far removed. This connection also makes Nuwara Eliya a lot more accessible.


5-7 Years

Ratnapura 1 hour

In the next decade, the Sri Lankan landscape will be very different indeed. At this point, you can assume that Negombo, Colombo, Galle and Kandy will be tightly networked. It’s also quite possible that the Ruwanpura Expressway (E06) will be online, connecting the Expressways network to Pelmadulla, via Ratnapura. Construction was said to be starting in 2014, to be completed by 2019, but we don’t think that’s likely. Within a 5-7 year time-frame, however, we think the E06 will happen.

What this means is that Ratnapura will be 45 minutes away and Pelmadulla one hour. That brings cool and beautiful tea country like Haputale within a few hours reach and it brings Ella and—to a lesser extent—Nuwara Eliya within reach. It also makes the trek to Arugam Bay and the east coast less of an ordeal.


10-15 Years

Trinco/Batti 2.5 – 3 hours

Within 10-15 years, you’re looking at the East Coast coming online. This could mean a Northern Expressway going through Kurunegala, Dambulla and then across to Trinco. It could also mean the Southern Expressway going through Hambantota (that part is now under construction) and snaking around Yala to Ampara and Batticaloa. At this point, the Hambantota Airport would also become useful, if it hasn’t returned to the jungle.

You’d also be looking at the North connecting up. The A9 already supports speeds of 100 km now, plus the rail line is fast, but any sort of connection through Dambulla would open up Vavuniya and Jaffna. Jaffna would still be at least 4 hours from Colombo, but that’s not bad. And that’s just assuming current transportation technology. By then, the rest of the world should be onto self-driving cars, and God knows Sri Lankans could use those.


15 Years

Jaffna 4 hours

Fifteen from now, honestly, who knows. Sri Lanka still has to worry about climate change, governmental change, economic change, all factors which could affect a lot in the long run. Assuming some stability, however, we’ll hopefully be looking at a country which starts to look a bit like mythical Ravana days — the city of Lanka. This would be a place where the country is highly networked, where transport is efficient and—hopefully—mostly public (buses and trains, or self-driving cars).

This also means that culture, restaurants, music and business will spread out of Colombo, enabling people to live where they want without giving up on the connections they need. In time we think the whole of Sri Lanka could be like one big metropolis, which should be fun for everyone.

Light trails photo used at the top of this article was taken by The Pug Father

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

The Art of Fusion Cuisine at Mövenpick Hotel

By Vera Wadugodapitiya We walked into Robata Grill, Mövenpick. Instantly, what struck me about the

Highlights Kamu

A Taste of Mexico – Cinnamon Red’s Latest International Cuisine

By Shamrina Carim Every month, Cinnamon Red has come up with an exciting initiative to

Highlights Kamu

A Classical High Tea Encounter with the Coronation at Mount Lavinia Hotel

By Shamrina Carim Mount Lavinia Hotel hosted a casual evening of classic high tea encounters

Highlights Kamu

The Bento Box at Royal Thai, Cinnamon Lakeside

By Hiruni Herath When you step into the Royal Thai Restaurant at Cinnamon Lakeside, you’ll

Highlights Kamu

Totally Hooked – The Ultimate Seafood Destination

It is not a surprise that “Totally Hooked CMB", the talk of the seafood town,

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Award Winning Indian Restaurant Junior Kuppanna in Colombo

Junior Kuppanna, opened its newest international branch in Colombo on 25th May 2023. The new

Trending

Hilton Sri Lanka Unveils ‘Enchanting Beginnings’ Wedding Sale

Swoon over exclusive wedding packages in stunning venues for a lifetime of memories Colombo, Sri

Trending

Ramada Colombo’s Exclusive Limited Time Wedding Discount

Book before June 15th and enjoy 25% off Planning the perfect wedding can be an

Trending

The 30th Gratiaen Prize shortlist was announced with the launch of the Gratiaen Trust Young Writers Club

The Gratiaen Trust in association with the John Keells Foundation partnering with the Trust for

Trending

Hilton Sri Lanka is set to commemorate Mother’s Day in grand fashion

Continuing our long-standing tradition of celebrating extraordinary mothers, Hilton properties across Sri Lanka have gone

Trending

Celebrate the Most Precious Woman in Your Life at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo

Celebrate the Most Precious Woman in Your Life at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo Colombo,

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

7 Decent BnB spots for under LKR 7500 – Sri Lanka

We all like spending mini vacations at affordable spots to relax or stay on the

Highlights Yamu Guide

7 Places to Dine Under LKR1500 LKR per person

By Udaraa Gamage Are you a foodie looking for budget places to satisfy your taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

The Aesthetics of Club Palm Bay

Club Palm Bay is a hotel located in the heart of a charming fishing village

Yamu Guide

High Tea Affairs at L.A.B by Hilton Colombo

By Hashini Pathirana A little chit chat with your besties, while sipping onto an Iced

Yamu Guide

The Art of Gifting with Shirohana

By Rahma Rifkhar From the picturesque green hills of Nuwara Eliya, nurtured by experienced hands

Highlights Yamu Guide