Vehicular movement on the Southern Expressway in Sri Lanka remains disrupted following an earth slip that occurred last night, October 11, 2023, near the 102km Post between Pinnaduwa and Imaduwa interchanges. The earth slip was caused by heavy rains that battered the area yesterday.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) says that traffic on both sides of the expressway has been blocked since last night. RDA authorities are working with Sri Lanka Army personnel to clear the blocked stretch of road. RDA Director-General L.V.S. Weerakoon is hopeful that 2 of the 4 lanes of the expressway can be reopened for vehicular movement by this afternoon, October 12.

Motorists entering the Southern Expressway from the direction of Galle are advised to exit from the Imaduwa interchange, while motorists arriving from the direction of Colombo are urged to exit from the Pinnaduwa interchange.

Six Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel and a Police Constable, who were on duty at the expressway, were reportedly hospitalized after sustaining injuries due to the earth slip.