President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed transport officials to resume road development projects halted during the 2022 economic crisis and prioritise completion of major expressway initiatives within scheduled timeframes.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to restart road development projects that were suspended in 2022 when Sri Lanka faced severe economic difficulties. The directives came during a progress review of transport infrastructure initiatives and pre-Budget discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President emphasised the need to complete all road projects according to their designated schedules while ensuring the public benefits from an efficient transport network. Key projects under review included the proposed Kurunegala–Galewela section of the Central Expressway Phase IV and the Ruwanpura Expressway, alongside several ongoing expressway developments such as the Kadawatha–Mirigama section and the Port Access Road. Officials also discussed challenges including compensation processes and access arrangements within the expressway network.

During the meeting, transport officials highlighted critical maintenance concerns, noting that approximately 130 A- and B-class roads have not undergone reconstruction for over 15 years, despite typical repair cycles occurring every decade. The President directed that rural road development priorities identified through District Coordinating Committee meetings should guide project selection. Additionally, the government plans to gradually transfer responsibility for smaller road development to District Secretaries.

The review also covered the National Traffic Database Project, which aims to modernise traffic management systems through integration of smart traffic signals and camera technology in collaboration with police and road safety authorities. The 2026 Budget allocated Rs. 402 billion for transport ministry projects, with supplementary funding directed toward recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.