The Ruwanpura Expressway, also known as the E06 Ratnapura Highway, is a planned expressway route connecting Colombo to the region of Ratnapura. It will be Sri Lanka’s 7^th Expressway, following the Southern Expressway, Katunayake Expressway, Colombo Outer Circular Expressway, and Central Expressway (Sri Dalada Highway).

The Ruwanpura Highway is expected to start from the Kahathuduwa Interchange of the Southern Expressway and proceed towards Pelmadulla, covering Ratnapura on its way. The expressway is to be constructed and maintained under the guidance of the Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka.

Ruwanpura Expressway Information

• Starting point:             Kahathuduwa Exit, Southern Expressway
• Ending point:              Pelmadulla
• Interchanges:              Horana, Ingiriya, Kiriella, Kuruwita, Ratnapura
• Length:                          73km
• Width:                            24m
• Number of lanes:         04
• Lane width:                   6m
• Number of tunnels:     6 (3.11km)
• Number of bridges:     20 (10.73km)
• Project cost:                   LKR 276.27Bn
• Construction start:       2021
• Expressway opening:  2022
• Travel time:
  • Colombo to Ratnapura – 45 minutes
  • Colombo to Pelmadulla – 1 hour

The Expressway is expected to have 6 tunnels and 20 viaducts. The route would consist of 04 lanes, and the lane width is planned for 3.6 meters. The construction began in May 2021, and the expressway is expected to open in 2022. The overall cost of the Ratnapura Highway is set to be LKR 276.3 billion.

The Environment Impact Assessment Report of the Ruwanpura Expressway has offered its green light towards the project, along with a few recommendations. It was reported that the project was segmented into 04 parts, and each segment was handed over to a Chinese company for handling and construction.

Ratnapura Expressway Latest News

The current status of the Ratnapura Highway is that the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment is almost complete. Resettlement action plan has been prepared, although it is yet to begin. Procurement Civil Work is almost at the half-way stage, and land acquisition of Phase 1 is in progress. Preliminary work on Section 1 – Kahatuduwa Interchange to Ingiriya – has begun. In July 2020, the Government handed the project to local contractors.

Ruwanpura Highway Map

• Phase I: Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya (24.3 km)
• Phase II: Ingiriya to Ratnapura (26.2 km)
• Phase III: Ratnapura to Pelmadulla (21.4 km)