Southern Expressway (Sri Lanka)
Encyclopedia
The Dakshina Lanka Distributor E01 also known as the Southern Lanka Express Highway or Southern Lanka Distributor or simply the Southern Expressway (in Sinhala : දක්ෂිණ ලංකා අධීවේගි මාර්ගය in Tamil : தெற்கு அதிவேக நெடுஞ்சாலை) is Sri Lanka
's first E Class highway. The 126 km (78.3 mi) long highway will link the Sri Lankan capital Colombo
with Matara
, a major city in the south of the island. Construction on the highway began in 2006 and it was expected to be completed in August 2011 at the cost of $600 million, however the public opening was scheduled towards the end of November. The expressway reduces the time taken to travel from Colombo to Matara to one and a half hours from the current four hours.
. This would extend the highway by approximately 100 km (62.1 mi).
Some 1300 families have been moved because of this project. Of these, 550 families have been provided with new land to build their houses. In November 2011, this expressway as the nation's first, was inaugurated from Colombo to Galle, is 4-lanes and $700 million, and is expected to significantly reduce travel times over the congested coastal route.
|-
!scope=col | Location
!scope=col | km
!scope=col | Exit
!scope=col | Name
!scope=col | Destinations
!scope=col | Notes
|-
|
|align=right | 0.0
|align=center | 1
| Kottawa
| A-004 – Kottawa (1.8 km), Maharagama
(6.3 km), Nugegoda
(11.3 km), Colombo
(20.6 km), Ratnapura
(79.1 km), Avissawella
(37 km), Homagama
(2.2 km)
| The start of the expressway; a continuation of the Outer Circular Highway
|-
|
|align=right|5.9
|align=center | 2
| Kahatuduwa
| B-084 – Kasbawa
(5.8 km), Piliyandala
(8.1 km), Colombo (25.7 km), Horana
(12.3 km), Ingiriya (25.9 km), Ratnapura
(63.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|13.7
|align=center | 3
| Gelanigama
| A-008 – Bandaragama (1.8 km), Panadura
(11.6 km), Horana (6.9 km), Ingiriya (20.4 km), Ratnapura (58.1 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|34.8
|align=center | 4
| Dodangoda
| B-304 – Nagoda
(11.5 km), Kalutara
(17.0 km), Matugama
(5.5 km), Agalawaththa (11.3 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|46.0
|align=center | 5
| Welipanna
| B-157 – Aluthgama
(10.3 km), Matugama
(11.5 km), Agalawaththa (17.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|67.6
|align=center | 6
| Kurundugahahetekma
| B-014 – Elpitiya
(3.8 km), Karandeniya (6.0 km), Batapola
(7.0 km), Ambalangoda (13.2 km), Balapitiya
(13.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|79.8
|align=center | 7
| Baddegama
| B-153 – Baddegama (1.5 km), Hikkaduwa
(12.8 km), Nil Hena (2.4 km), Udugama
(20.8 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|95.3
|align=center | 8
| Pinnaduwa
| B-594 – Galle
(8.4 km)
| Contains the 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) Galle Access road
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 9
| Deegoda
| A-17 – Deniyaya
|
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 10
| Kokmaduwa
| B-465 – Weligama
|
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 11
| Godagama
| A-24 – Matara
| The end of the expressway; there are proposals for it to be extended up to Hambantota
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
's first E Class highway. The 126 km (78.3 mi) long highway will link the Sri Lankan capital Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
with Matara
Matara, Sri Lanka
Matara is a city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, 160 km from Colombo. It is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. It was deeply affected by the Asian tsunami in December 2004.-History:...
, a major city in the south of the island. Construction on the highway began in 2006 and it was expected to be completed in August 2011 at the cost of $600 million, however the public opening was scheduled towards the end of November. The expressway reduces the time taken to travel from Colombo to Matara to one and a half hours from the current four hours.
Construction
As of December 2006, the first phase of construction is underway from Matara to Kurundugahahetekma. The second phase of the construction will be from Kurundugahahetekma to Kottawa. There are also plans to further extend the Highway to Weerawila and beyond as far as BatticaloaBatticaloa
Batticaloa is a city in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. It is on the east coast, south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island.-Etymology:...
. This would extend the highway by approximately 100 km (62.1 mi).
Some 1300 families have been moved because of this project. Of these, 550 families have been provided with new land to build their houses. In November 2011, this expressway as the nation's first, was inaugurated from Colombo to Galle, is 4-lanes and $700 million, and is expected to significantly reduce travel times over the congested coastal route.
Intersections
{| class="wikitable"|-
!scope=col | Location
!scope=col | km
!scope=col | Exit
!scope=col | Name
!scope=col | Destinations
!scope=col | Notes
|-
|
|align=right | 0.0
|align=center | 1
| Kottawa
Kottawa
Kottawa is a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, administered by the Maharagama Urban Council. Located 18km from Colombo, it can be reached via A4 highway and by train on via the Kelani Valley Railway Line. The northern end of the Southern Expressway is about 2km east of Kottawa on the High Level Road...
| A-004 – Kottawa (1.8 km), Maharagama
Maharagama
Maharagama is a Town, Municipal Area in the Colombo District and a suburb of Colombo Sri Lanka. Situated on the High-Level Road about 15 km away from the centre of the commercial capital Colombo, Maharagama is the city with the third largest population , in Sri Lanka. It developed rapidly in...
(6.3 km), Nugegoda
Nugegoda
Nugegoda is one of the most densely populated suburbs of Colombo. It is in the border of Sri Jayawardenapura Municipal Council Limits and Dehiwela Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council Limits, just outside Colombo City Limits. Central Nugegoda is a collection of densely packed shops and mixed residential...
(11.3 km), Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
(20.6 km), Ratnapura
Ratnapura
- Floods :The town of Ratnapura is situated in the flooding plain of the river Kalu. The town experiences regular floods usually in the month of May. There is no large dam across the Kalu, so this leaves the city at the mercy of nature's forces every year. Several proposals have been made to reduce...
(79.1 km), Avissawella
Avissawella
Avissawella, also known as Seethawakapura or Seethawaka, is a town along the A4 route from Colombo on the Western Coast to Kalmunai in the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Balangoda and Wellawaya.- Overview :...
(37 km), Homagama
Homagama
Homagama is a town situated 24km from the city of Colombo in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The Homagama pradeshiya sabha consists of the Homagama divisional secretariat division and 10 GN division of Padukka DS division. The total Land area is about is 137 km² of 90 GN division. The...
(2.2 km)
| The start of the expressway; a continuation of the Outer Circular Highway
|-
|
|align=right|5.9
|align=center | 2
| Kahatuduwa
| B-084 – Kasbawa
Kasbawa
Kasbawa is a suburb of the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, which is situated nearly 21 km south from Colombo. Kasbawa is located in Colombo District in Western Province, and it is surrounded by Moratuwa, Piliyandala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Bandaragama, and Kahathuduwa, which are suburban cities...
(5.8 km), Piliyandala
Piliyandala
Piliyanadala is a suburb of Sri Lankan capital Colombo, which is situated approximately 18 km south of Colombo.Piliyandala, Sri Lanka is one of the relatively more populated cities located in the Colombo District of the Western_Province,_Sri_Lanka and it is surrounded by Moratuwa, Kesbawa,...
(8.1 km), Colombo (25.7 km), Horana
Horana
Horana is a town in Kalutara District, in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is on the road from Panadura to Ratnapura. It is located in 42 Km away from Colombo and 18 Km away from Panadura....
(12.3 km), Ingiriya (25.9 km), Ratnapura
Ratnapura
- Floods :The town of Ratnapura is situated in the flooding plain of the river Kalu. The town experiences regular floods usually in the month of May. There is no large dam across the Kalu, so this leaves the city at the mercy of nature's forces every year. Several proposals have been made to reduce...
(63.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|13.7
|align=center | 3
| Gelanigama
| A-008 – Bandaragama (1.8 km), Panadura
Panadura
- History :The historic debate 'Panadura Vadaya' was held in this place which is a milestone of the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the initiative of the ven. Migettuwaththe Gunananda Thera.- People and Culture :Panadura is home to about 100,000 citizens...
(11.6 km), Horana (6.9 km), Ingiriya (20.4 km), Ratnapura (58.1 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|34.8
|align=center | 4
| Dodangoda
| B-304 – Nagoda
Nagoda
Nagoda is a small town in Sri Lanka. It is located within Southern Province.-External links:*...
(11.5 km), Kalutara
Kalutara
Kalutara is a resort town located approximately 40 km south of Colombo in Sri Lanka.- Overview :Once an important spice-trading center, the city's name is derived from the Kalu Ganga River . In the 11th Century, the town was temporarily made a capital on the orders of a South Indian Prince...
(17.0 km), Matugama
Matugama
Matugama is an electorate in the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka. It is located 64 km to the south of Colombo.- History :Matugama is part of the Pasdun Korale , created when King Parakramabahu the Great drained the Kalu Ganga basin...
(5.5 km), Agalawaththa (11.3 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|46.0
|align=center | 5
| Welipanna
| B-157 – Aluthgama
Aluthgama
Aluthgama is a coastal town in the Western Province of Sri Lanka...
(10.3 km), Matugama
Matugama
Matugama is an electorate in the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka. It is located 64 km to the south of Colombo.- History :Matugama is part of the Pasdun Korale , created when King Parakramabahu the Great drained the Kalu Ganga basin...
(11.5 km), Agalawaththa (17.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|67.6
|align=center | 6
| Kurundugahahetekma
| B-014 – Elpitiya
Elpitiya
Elpitiya is a municipality located in Galle District, Southern Province of Sri Lanka.Elpitiya is easily accessible from the Colombo - Galle main road and is about from Ambalangoda. Also there are 3 other access roads from the Colombo - Galle main road at Bentota, Kosgoda and Ahungalla. Elpitiya is...
(3.8 km), Karandeniya (6.0 km), Batapola
Batapola
Batapola is a village located in the Galle District of Sri Lanka.Batapola is 8 km away from the town of Ambalangoda. Batayan lived there, which is where the name derives from....
(7.0 km), Ambalangoda (13.2 km), Balapitiya
Balapitiya
Balapitiya is a coastal area in south west Sri Lanka. It is located in the Southern Province in Sri Lanka. Situated 80 km South of Colombo, it is about a two-hour drive from the capital. It is the nearest city to the Maduganga River....
(13.5 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|79.8
|align=center | 7
| Baddegama
Baddegama
Baddegama is a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries that follows the lives of village people in British Colonial Sri Lanka. The film is based on the 1913 book The Village in the Jungle by Leonard Woolf. Sir Arthur C...
| B-153 – Baddegama (1.5 km), Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is located in the Southern Province, about 17 km north-west of Galle. Hikkaduwa is famous for its beach, surfing, corals and night life....
(12.8 km), Nil Hena (2.4 km), Udugama
Udugama
Udugama is a village in Sri Lanka. It is located within Central Province.-External links:*...
(20.8 km)
|
|-
|
|align=right|95.3
|align=center | 8
| Pinnaduwa
| B-594 – Galle
Galle
Galle is a city situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the capital city of Southern Province of Sri Lanka and it lies in Galle District....
(8.4 km)
| Contains the 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) Galle Access road
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 9
| Deegoda
| A-17 – Deniyaya
|
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 10
| Kokmaduwa
| B-465 – Weligama
Weligama
Weligama is a Urban Council in Matara district on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The term Weligama literally means "sandy village" which refers to the area's sandy sweep bay. Tourism & Fishing are two main business. Situated at a distance of 144 km from Colombo, Weligama is a popular tourist...
|
|-
|
|align=right| Under Construction (Stage 2)
|align=center | 11
| Godagama
Godagama
Godagama is a village in Sri Lanka. It is located within Central Province.-External links:*...
| A-24 – Matara
Matara, Sri Lanka
Matara is a city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, 160 km from Colombo. It is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. It was deeply affected by the Asian tsunami in December 2004.-History:...
| The end of the expressway; there are proposals for it to be extended up to Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...