Four major infrastructure projects in Kandy City to be completed within two years

The completion of four major infrastructure projects in Kandy City within the next two years is planned by the Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry under the Central Provincial Development Programme.

The Strategic Development Plan will expedite the Gatambe Junction Flyover, Mahaiyawa Underground Tunnel, William Gopallawa Road development project, and Louis Peiris Road development project to ease traffic congestion and improve urban connectivity in Kandy.

A progress review and field inspection of the projects took place on 15 July 2026, with the participation of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K. D. Lalkantha and Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena.

Construction work on the Gatambe Junction Flyover resumed in February 2025 after being suspended due to political, administrative, and financial issues. The project carries an estimated cost of 14 billion rupees and aims to reduce traffic congestion on routes including Gannoruwa–Kandy and Peradeniya–Kandy.

An allocation of 675 million rupees supports the implementation of the William Gopallawa Road development project, which involves expanding the road into a four-lane route to ease congestion in Kandy City.

An upgrade consisting of two lanes and pedestrian walkways on both sides will be applied to the Louis Peiris Road project, which connects Kandy, Buwelikada, and Ampitiya. A sum of 539 million rupees is allocated for the project, which will include slope stabilisation measures using the "Soil Nailing" method due to landslide risks in the area.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the Mahaiyawa Tunnel project at a cost of 650 million rupees to facilitate the Kandy–Jaffna (A-009) main road and the upland railway network. The tunnel measures 31.7 metres long, 21.8 metres wide, and 9 metres high.

Development activities are being carried out across the country while preserving the historical and cultural value of Kandy City, Minister K. D. Lalkantha said after the inspection. Steps are being taken to complete the projects within the targeted two-year period and deliver benefits to the public, the Minister added.

Kandy’s development follows a national plan, with several major infrastructure projects underway in and around the city to transform its physical infrastructure, Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.

Kandy Municipal Council Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake, local councillors, project engineers, government officials, and residents attended the inspection.