The Kadawatha- Kaduwela segment of the Colombo Outer Circular Expressway was declared open yesterday by Minister of University Education and Highways Lakshman Kiriella.

The expressway was open to the public from 9pm yesterday.

The 8.9 kilometre Kaduwela – Kadawatha stretch of the OCH was constructed to connect the Southern Expressway, the Katunayake-Colombo Expressway and Colombo-Kandy Expressway, to enable motorists using these roads to bypass Colombo to reach their destinations.

A toll of Rs. 100 will be charged from light vehicles that travel from Kadawatha to Kaduwela on the Expressway while Rs. 200 will be charged from heavy vehicles. The toll will be Rs. 650 for light vehicles travelling from Kadawatha to Matara and Rs. 1,750 will be charged from heavy vehicles including buses. The toll charge from Kadawatha to Pinnaduwa (Galle) is Rs. 500 for light vehicles.

Bus fare is Rs. 400 per person to Galle from Kadawatha and Rs. 500 will be charged from passengers to Matara.