Video: Katunayake highway the most expensive in the world: UNP

7 November 2013 07:39 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 60 Bookmark

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UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said today his party would write to the Guinness Book of Records requesting it to include the Katunayake Expressway as the most expensive expressway in the world.

“The government has spent Rs.45.7 billion for the construction of the 25.8 km-long Katunayake Expressway at a cost of Rs.1.8 billion per kilometre. This is the only expressway in the world to have spent such a massive amount of money. So we are going to request the Guinness Committee to include the Katunayake Expressway in next year’s GuinnessBook of Records”, Mr. Samarawera said.

Mr. Samaraweera said last year a Chinese company built the 50 km-long Thika Super Highway in Kenya which consist of 8 lanes at a cost of US$360 which works out to only Rs.972 million per kilometre whereas the Katunayake Expressway was built at a cost of Rs.1.8 billion per kilometre.(Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 60

lan Friday, 08 November 2013 01:34 AM

This man is useless. did not mention the cost of acquiring lands for the highway. All that money went to the rightful owners of the lands. It is more than the cost of building the highway. In case of Kenya they have enough underutilized lands at a cheap price. This man tries to fool our people. In Sri Lanka cost of lands in western province is one of the highest in the world. We don't care how much it cost, we want the work to be done immediately. Our country is lagging development since we spend most of our valuable time on the road. We can remember Mr Ranil's short term somewhere in 2002, how he spent a billion rupees for a computer system for the presidential secretariat. If UNP wants to do something really good for the country take someone like Mr Gotabaya as the leader and send these bucket heads home.

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citizenJ Thursday, 07 November 2013 02:53 PM

Every time this fellow open his mouth, UNP is bound to loose many supporters. This Trojan horse of UPFA planted in the UNP circle, should be sidelined at every possible manner in order to build a credible opposition in the country.

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dickie bird Thursday, 07 November 2013 03:08 PM

This is a BOI project. Let the investors decide on charges.
If it is too dear for Mongols or as a matter of fact to anyone else, the non Toll paying road is there.

This is sour grapes.

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Lima Thursday, 07 November 2013 03:44 PM

THIS HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IS THE ONLY THING THIS KINGS'S FAMILY KNOW FROM THEIIR GENERATION , NOTHING ELSE , THEY FOOL THE WHOLE COUNTRY , WHO EVER IS NOT WILLING TO LISTEN IS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH ALONG WITH THE FAMILY , WHY WE MODAYS STILL LISTENING TO THESE STORIES AND BEGGING TO KEEP THESE ROBBERS IN THE PREY

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Sriyani Thursday, 07 November 2013 04:34 PM

Cheap things no good - Good things no cheap!!!!!

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Gamarala Thursday, 07 November 2013 04:56 PM

This guy is talking rot. The Katunayake Hwy was built on reclaimed marsh land, whereas the Kenya Hwy was built on stable dry land. The cost of US$343.3 million for 25.8 Km is only US$13.7 million per Km , which is not high when one considers the terrain where this Fwy was built.

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Knox Thursday, 07 November 2013 04:59 PM

Mangala is a lyre,further people know very well his deals.This is pot calling the kettle black.This type of talk will not help UNP anyway as people are happy with development,how ever the projects may not be cost effective!The floating vote is not that concerned about these stuff! This the time to help Mahinda -that is the wish of people and rescue him from extreme elements!

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Mike Thursday, 07 November 2013 05:04 PM

It's so pathetic that we have to always criticize everything that's done by this government. We all know they are robbing the country...but at the same time are they also doing some work to the country?. If so we should shut up & learn to bite the bullet. NO matter who is elected/selected to this position they all r going to be same thing. What has UNP & rest the of the gov's in SL has done to the country. They are all thugs & rogues. At least be thankful that all Sri Lankans have a peaceful country to live under this leadership. Please note, I live in the USA & has been out of my motherland since 1988. I do not want to take any sides & I'm not a UNP or SLFP person. I have never voted in Sri Lanka in my life. I'm just a bystander watching things that's taking place in SL. I love my country after all it's my motherland.

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Chris Thursday, 07 November 2013 05:04 PM

Be proud that we now have highways, & the country is getting developed.
The big people in the government must be playing out, at least they are doing good thing for the country

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Proud Srilankan Thursday, 07 November 2013 08:16 PM

What can we do Mangala? You have to understand while they are building this express way they have to feed their families and friends Let them enjoy and live happily.

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LankanAmerican Thursday, 07 November 2013 08:37 PM

Btw, the cost includes LAND ACQUISITION to build the highway. This is prime land closer to Colombo and private land owners got the highest market price for their blocks of land.

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Nims Thursday, 07 November 2013 08:37 PM

Mangala, you are a bloody liar. You are just misleading the public by giving figures in US$ and Sri Lanka Rupees. You are a shame to the entire UNP. Do not use the motorway

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sarath Friday, 08 November 2013 12:43 AM

He is wrong in many ways. some high ways need many bridges over cross roads rivers and payment of compensation. this is over a thick populated area and many were ejected and. all will have to added to the construction cost, His whole speech contains lot of exaggerations falsehood and malicious. this the same way he criticized UNP budget during UNP regime.
LUCKY NO ONE TAKE SERIOUS OF IT.

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Don Sarath Friday, 08 November 2013 01:08 AM

So is Mahaveli, the only project initiated by UNP during their 17 year rule. They borrowed billions of Dollars claiming that this project will be completed in 6 years, but still even after 35 years, it is not fully completed. While borrowing Billions of Dollars, they claimed that the cost will be recovered in 25 years.

This Awa-Managala is sitting on his brain and talking through his hat, thinking that everyone in Sri Lanka are born yesterday, probably because he is getting closer to sing his political swan song.

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R.R.Rohanp. Friday, 08 November 2013 01:14 AM

I think ranil and the clan also should be included in yhe guinness book for loosing most number of elections.yz

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john Thursday, 07 November 2013 02:41 PM

Oh yeah . . . . .??? The blody barber knows best. . . . LOL

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Ruan Ranasinghe Friday, 08 November 2013 01:45 AM

Rubbish. M25 Expressway expansion in the UK cost USD60 million per km. Even if we divide that by 2 or 5, still Katunayake Expressway is cheaper. So either pay for new infrastructure or travel by push bike.

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Lucky Weeramantry Friday, 08 November 2013 02:00 AM

Katunayake Expressway May Be The The Most Expensive, But It Is The Most Important And Busiest Expressway That Links The Main Airport With The Main City.

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Lucky Weeramantry Friday, 08 November 2013 02:04 AM

UNP Has Nothing Else To Talk About. Pl Give Credit To The Govt For Completing The Highway, Which The UNP Failed To Do For 17 Years.

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Lucky Weeramantry Friday, 08 November 2013 02:10 AM

It Doesn't Matter The Cost. Because Better Roads Makes Life Easy For Everyone, Time And Fuel Cost. Enjoy The Good Things But Do Not Complain.

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Perumal Friday, 08 November 2013 02:17 AM

You could decide if and when the Guinness Committee elects to include the record.

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Flatwhite Friday, 08 November 2013 02:20 AM

Good things comes with a price tag. Look back when you were a minister did we have this but instead money were pocketed out by the politicians and no developments for the people. Atleast now a highway has been built and used by the public and I am sure you will also.Be shame of yourself mate.

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Lokka Friday, 08 November 2013 02:32 AM

Why could not the UNP do this Highway during their time? They never developed the country"s infrastructure. They even delayed most essential power supply projects. So, pl don't cry foul over this project expenses

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MCDONALD Friday, 08 November 2013 03:06 AM

Yes life will be easy for the rich businessmen and politicians and not for the middle class citizens and the villagers who struggle to face their day to day living. Express way is only a show off. First priority is to uplift the the living standards of the citizens. Show off's can follow later and this should be the main focus of the government which will make SL a true miracle of Asia.

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M. Wickramasinghe Friday, 08 November 2013 03:10 AM

No debate about the poor and not so well to do in this country. But do you think people would have better off without this project. Governments, not matter which party is in power waste public funds but at least we will have something to show for this in the longer term. If you leave political hype aside you will find that amidst inefficiency and even fraud a vast majority of the funds we're spend on actual construction. Where do you think those funds went? To employ and pay people which creates further economic activity. This is true infrastructure development that any country has to undertake.

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Devaka Friday, 08 November 2013 03:24 AM

What should be in the Guiness Book of Records is the number of elections lost by the UNP under the present leadership.

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james bond Friday, 08 November 2013 12:01 PM

why unp did not do it cheaply ???.

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upul perera Friday, 08 November 2013 12:59 PM

Is that why you never thought of doing something like this.?

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Rohan Samarasekera Friday, 08 November 2013 05:08 PM

Mangala, how come you talk like this. You are not a UNP MP. We never believe you or what you say. We still can remember what damage you did to UNP. Please leave UNP.

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Muniyandi Friday, 08 November 2013 05:30 PM

What a blue eyed monster! please appreciate what the present government is doing. Jayawewa to the present government and long live President Mahinda Rajapakse.

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Ranjith Silvar Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:40 AM

The cost been huge due to delays by several Governments and the new design in-order to avoid environmental damages made the differences.. The cheap does not nean a quality product.

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umpire Thursday, 07 November 2013 07:52 AM

this is ridiculous

1 3

Araya Thursday, 07 November 2013 07:57 AM

who can be believed by poor readers???

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nalaka Thursday, 07 November 2013 08:00 AM

so what your new party UNP failed to builed even 1 for the 17 years where they played out money

2 5

Be Fair Thursday, 07 November 2013 08:54 AM

Kenya has flat land, the Katunayake Airport expressway had to be refilled with sand as well as some bank accounts. So the cost can be justifiable in my view.

1 6

mohamed asfar Thursday, 07 November 2013 09:06 AM

expensive highway, biggest cabinet, most elections lost opposition. wow. we can have our own SRI LANKAN GUINNESS BOOK.

1 4

DOTS Thursday, 07 November 2013 09:07 AM

True , Hope this is not similar to what he said about Ranil when he was a powerfull man of MR.

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Rubert Vanderkoon Thursday, 07 November 2013 09:10 AM

Ridiculous it is, what he said. London's recent M25 expansion was estimated at 25 million UK pounds/km and the real end cost was 79 million UK pounds/km. Katunayake road has cost only 9 million UK pounds/km.

3 3

Abdul Thursday, 07 November 2013 09:12 AM

and land acquisition. kenya got enough land. we have a huge population with limited land here.

0 2

The Truth Thursday, 07 November 2013 09:14 AM

Well, as the opposition party why didn't you debate in parliament and request a report on the projected expense?

Now crying foul?

1 2

Anton Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:05 AM

It seems , now Sri Lanka has started to be the miracle of world ...beyond miracle of Asia...hats off to Srilankan voters..

2 1

Dalu banda Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:05 AM

This was previously awarded to Korean Company by Chadrika`s government. Then agreed by the subsequent UNP government to terminate the Contract for reasons only known to them. Now this government did the work at a cost.

1 1

Anton Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:07 AM

It Seems Sri lanka has started to be the miracle of world now..hats off to Srilankan voters...

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Ryan Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:13 AM

If you see that highway, you wont utter a single word. after a rain they had to completely relay the carpet

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antonsunil Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:17 AM

Wow! it's an incredible amount of money

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Rata Haraka Thursday, 07 November 2013 07:52 AM

Whoopee. Another Guinness World Record for Sri Lanka. What an honour.

1 8

Shimark Thursday, 07 November 2013 10:58 AM

So, what is your next step as a responsible opposition and responsible citizens of Srilanka?
Even after going through court procedures can you get the money back from the culprits?
If not, what is the use of telling these things to public?
Ok public should know how their tax is used... fine... then where is the authority for public here?

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M. Wickramasinghe Thursday, 07 November 2013 11:00 AM

While the amounts may well be correct, this is a highly irresponsible comment. What makes Kenya the benchmark? No one would doubt that there would have been ineffeciencies, wastage and even fraud. These happen in any country in the world for projects of this nature and it is only a question of degree to which it happens in certain countries. At least now we have a highway from the airport. In time to come nobody would care how ch this cost but only the convenience of use at a cost of course.

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Premalal Thursday, 07 November 2013 11:15 AM

The poor cares about the cost my friend because they will have to pay it. Every man woman and child. But 99% of the population is barred from using it. I find it strange that you justify an enormous burden on the poor for the convenience of a few.

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a lankan Thursday, 07 November 2013 11:20 AM

Good work.
but how many pockets to be filled . A..Z
Hush......

This is all common in todays Politics

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Nims Thursday, 07 November 2013 11:41 AM

You clearly demonstrate who you are.

1 0

Dingimahattaya Thursday, 07 November 2013 12:55 PM

Mangala, whatever you hawk no use till this Mara government in power, they will rule the country another 10 years time, dont get avamangala.

Dingi

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janaka Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:00 PM

Who can believe (Awa) Mangala. Who always talk crab!

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Yuri Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:07 PM

If a Tamils tells this, they would be brand as LTTE. I think one third goes to Family and one third goes to other Guiness and 100 is the actual coast.

0 1

Sunil De Alwis Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:17 PM

Ane mewage buruwek

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Polonga Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:26 PM

Sour grapes!

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Suq Madique Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:32 PM

Mangala hails from a party whose leader holds the world record for most number of elections lost.

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Lal Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:56 PM

Your comment only suggests your ignorance by not picking up the point made. The point is the massive amount of public money (either wasted or swindled) spent over and above the nominal or reasonable cost which we all have to bear the burden.

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Suq Madique Thursday, 07 November 2013 01:57 PM

Yes hats off to them They elected a Govt capable of destroying the worlds most ruthless terrorist outfit.

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ballo Thursday, 07 November 2013 02:36 PM

Our roads break like plastic too . ACCESS contract

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