Phase Two construction of North Central Expressway to be expedited : PM

COLOMBO (News1st) : Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that construction of the second phase of the North-Central Expressway would be expedited after contractors are paid their dues. "They (contractors) were not paid and went bankrupt. Once we settle their dues, they will return to work and operations will resume," the Prime Minister said upon entering the construction site of the expressway. He pointed out that, however, some contractors had carried out a good job.. The government has handed over a 30-month contract for the expressway project, will include four lanes and six interchange centres. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa also said that the government has approved a proposal to extend the expressway from Minuwangoda to Kadawatha. "The contract has already been awarded," the Prime Minister noted. He blamed the former government over the economic downfall faced by the country, a situation he said had resulted in the delay of construction projects. "We all know how hard the president works towards developing this country. He has told me to handle political matters, while he will focus on the development of this country," Rajapaksa remarked.