The latest data released by the Ministry of Finance indicate that the expenditure on development of roads and highways has increased by 72 percent during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

The Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2014 reveals that Rs. 55 billion has been spent on developing Sri Lanka’s road networks within the first four months of 2014 and that within the first quarter of last year only Rs. 31.9 billion had been spent on developing the road networks.

Rs. 6.1 billion spent within the first quarter in 2014 has been on the construction of expressways. Rs. 673 million has been spent on the southern expressway, Rs. 445 million on the Colombo-Katunayake expressway and Rs. 445 million and Rs. 4.6 billion on the outer circular highways.

Another significant feature is the spending of Rs. 6.5 billion being spent on developing the road network in the Northern Province.