Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

• Workers and engineers could report to work using their employee ID cards as curfew passes”

By Yohan Perera   

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that construction work of roads, bridges and highways will continue as usual despite the countrywide quarantine curfew.   

“The workers and engineers could report to work using their employee ID cards as curfew passes”, the minister said.   

Minister Fernando said work that had been started to improve infrastructure by developing road networks would not be suspended. “Although, there are measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The employees have been instructed on health precautions and guidelines recommended by health authorities and they would adhere to those safety measures while continuing to serve to achieve the targets set for them, the minister said.   

He said that 1,000 rural bridges scheduled to be completed by the end of this year were in progress as per the plans. He said the Government is aware of the difficulties faced by the public when the travel restrictions are imposed, but the public is requested to support the Government’s programme of protecting the lives of the people.   

“As per the promise given to the public under the Vistas of Prosperity election Manifesto, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given instructions to the Prime Minister, the line ministries and relevant officials not to suspend any development project due to the pandemic situation, the minister said.