📈 Local Construction Giants Secure Rs. 112.4 Bn Central Expressway Phase II Contracts

The Sri Lankan government has approved seven major construction packages for the Central Expressway Project Phase II (Rambukkana–Galagedara stretch), signaling a significant revival for the domestic construction and infrastructure sectors. • Total Project Value: Rs. 112.44 billion (excluding VAT), funded entirely through Treasury funds via the National Competitive Procurement Methodology. • Key Contractors & Awards: • Maga Engineering: Rs. 34 billion (Packages 2A & 2G) • Access Engineering: Rs. 18.7 billion • NEM Construction: Rs. 16.39 billion • K.D.A. Weerasinghe & Co.: Rs. 14.71 billion • Edward and Christie: Rs. 14.52 billion • ICC: Rs. 14.12 billion • Project Scope: Covers 18.65 km of the expressway (km 13+800 to km 32+450) to enhance connectivity between Colombo and the Central Province. • Economic Context: The construction sector is entering an expansion phase in 2026, driven by a Rs. 2 trillion public investment program (2026–2028). Highways account for 48% of this planned capital expenditure. • Sector Outlook: While growth is supported by post-cyclone reconstruction and a 15.5% YoY rise in private credit, risks remain regarding labor shortages and rising material costs due to global tensions. _Source: Cabinet Decisions/Ministry of Transport & Highways (Provisional Data)_