Colombo, Sep. 28 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka’s expressway network could take more than 171 years to repay the principal amount of loans obtained for its construction, based on current average annual net earnings, according to a recent audit observation.
The audit found that loans amounting to Rs. 611.37 billion had been obtained from domestic and foreign sources for the construction of the expressway network. With average annual net profit reported at around Rs. 3.56 billion, the revenue generated by the expressways remains insufficient to repay the principal, without taking interest costs into account.
The audit noted that the current income from expressway operations is inadequate to meet both loan repayments and interest obligations. As a result, the required funds to service these commitments are being provided through allocations from the General Treasury.
In response to the audit findings, the management said expressway toll charges had been maintained at relatively low levels as a public welfare measure. This policy, however, has limited the revenue available to meet the financial obligations associated with the expressway projects.
The audit recommended the use of modern technology to reduce operational costs while introducing targeted measures to increase revenue from the expressway network.
It also called for stronger internal financial controls, including proper procedures, formal written instructions and improved financial oversight, following a review conducted under Section 38(1) of the National Audit Act No. 19 of 2018.
Meanwhile, the audit also revealed that the Road Development Authority (RDA) has lost more than Rs. 4.614 billion in revenue due to irregularities involving expressway tickets over a period of four years and nine months from November 2019 to July 2024.
The audit found that more than 133.8 million entry tickets were issued during the period, but exit tickets had not been issued for more than 18.2 million vehicles.
The discrepancy has raised concerns over revenue collection and ticket management on the country's expressways.
According to the audit findings, the RDA was losing close to Rs. 1 million in expressway revenue each day as a result of the reported ticket irregularities.
Kelum Monday, 28 September 2026 12:56 PM
This is the not so intelligent of the country don't understand. The moment stats like these are presented they go back to "well, don't you also use the highway?" argument. With that kind of money they could've easily improved the rail network, existing roads and bus services that would've served the entire population, not just small number of people and tourists who makes a holiday in the south. But the king got his ambul thiyal delivered from his village every morning, which he deserved to have since he ended the war!
fact Monday, 28 September 2026 01:30 PM
let's say daily you save two hour from 50000 people
Mithun Warnakulasuriya Monday, 28 September 2026 01:32 PM
The repayment of the loans is not from the tolls collection dim wit. That is just a bonus for the maintenance. The reason any government build expressways is to fast track economic growth through the enhanced connectivity. The growth in property development sector along expressways, the tourism sector and agricultural investment due to increased connectivity has already delivered more than enough to repay these. Government tax revenue if it was used for correct purpose would have settled these by now. Please get advice from property economists Daily Mirror without given your poorly educated journalists the voice to sully your credibility
Krish Monday, 28 September 2026 01:49 PM
While we have definitely over paids for there construction, value of these projects cannot be measured just by earning back the cost through tickets. Amount of time and fuel saved because of these roads it self could the enough to repay the cost within few years.
BnW Monday, 28 September 2026 01:57 PM
Auditors have done their job. But, when infrastructure is built it's up to the business community and the people to use it for the economic advancement. Governments also can work to attract FDIs to utilize the infrastructures.
Shayan Peris Monday, 28 September 2026 02:02 PM
This is not account for net savings in other areas with fuel efficiency, Slower vehicle degredations, less emissions etc... that are not factored into net income. So the benefit is much higher than just the revenue...
DOT Monday, 28 September 2026 02:08 PM
I see very poor marketing of this facility.
esar Monday, 28 September 2026 02:51 PM
The audit noted that Sri Lanka lost Rs. 4.6 billion because 18.2 million exit tickets were simply missing—meaning toll operators likely pocketed the cash or let vehicles pass illegally.
R M Rameez Monday, 28 September 2026 02:55 PM
Appreciate what was done, building expressways now will cost two score ten, infrastructure is more important, the country needed it, was done when the cost of living was manageable, even by the poorest of the poor, unlike now where a single meal is out of reach, those who did it spoke less and made it happen even if funds were exploited, it is still cheaper than building them now, false promises are a sign of inability,
Ragu Monday, 28 September 2026 02:57 PM
What's the worry when the lender is not rushing it
EMILY Monday, 28 September 2026 04:01 PM
big corruption going on with exit tickets
C K Prema Monday, 28 September 2026 04:21 PM
There are other benefits too. If we consider all of these it will be a lessor period. For an example one of my friends travels daily from Galle to Colombo. He chages break pads and tyres after 120,000km. But I teavel 13km daily to Colombo and I have to change break pads at 20,000 to 25,000 kms and tyres after 40,000 to 45,000 kms.
Ceylonese Monday, 28 September 2026 04:22 PM
Road infrastructure is one of the most important developments for a prosperous economy. In Sri Lankan, 30% would have been spent for the roads and the balance 70% must have gone inside the minister's pocket.
wickrama Monday, 28 September 2026 04:35 PM
These are essential services. The money save in terms of reduced work time, savings in fuel, savings in repair cost of the vehicles, increased production, etc., cannot be measured with this 'yardstick'. In the same manner the auditors to assess the military, police, judiciary, education, healthcare, etc. make any SLR profits.
Thiruchelvam Chelliah Monday, 28 September 2026 04:57 PM
RDA- Loosing Rs. 1 million per day due to Ticket Irregularities. Construction cost of the expressway was arround 600 million. RDA should account for thesse expenses and irregularities. This is not Rocket Science. A simple Engineering calculation. But no one shall do the necessary accounting and take responsiblity for the irregularities. VERY SERIOUS Mr. Minister-over to you- pullup your RDA management to account for. Sack all of them if they cant give satisfacory explanation
Sam Monday, 28 September 2026 05:09 PM
Increase ticket price by 10 fold and it only takes 17 years to repay. Simple mathamatics :-). Cashiers will also become some of the highest paid people in Sri Lanka, tax free too!!!
R Navaratnam Monday, 28 September 2026 06:47 PM
I wouldn't worry too much about LKR611.37 billion because of depreciation of LKR.
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