Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake revealed that the property used for service area on the southern expressway was leased for 99 years at an annual rent of Rs. 10,000 during the previous Rajapaksa administration.
Rathnayake made the remarks while responding to concerns over poor maintenance, cleanliness and high food prices at the facility.
He said only one service area is currently operating across the 312-kilometre expressway network, while another facility is being developed in the Udukawa area.
According to the minister, the existing service area at Welipenna is operated by a company affiliated with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and is not directly managed by the Road Development Authority or the Ministry of Transport.
Rathnayake said the government had raised concerns over the management of the facility with the Finance Ministry, Labour Ministry and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.
He alleged that the property had been leased to the company for 99 years at an annual payment of Rs. 10,000 and suggested that irregularities may have occurred in the original transaction.
The minister added that plans are already underway to establish additional service areas along the Central Expressway and other expressways, with the aim of providing better facilities for motorists and passengers.
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