Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the new government revisited the Highway Projects initiated by the former government and possible changes were done to minimize the exorbitant costs involved.

 

Answering a question raised at the #AskChampika social media session at Ape Gama in Battaramulla this evening, he said that the new government’s Ministry of Highways appointed a three member committee to revisit all expressway projects.

 

The three member committee submitted its proposal on the Rate of Investment and economic feasibility of the projects, Ranawaka explained.

 

However, since some agreements had already been signed by the former government, all recommendations could not be carried out, he added. Nevertheless, the government was able to drastically reduce the cost of some projects, Ranawaka said.

 

In the case of the Kandy Highway, a competitive bidding process could be instituted, he also pointed out, adding that the ADB and JAICA is funding the projects.