Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Cabinet backs plan to transfer local roads to national authority
Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the transfer of selected roads from provincial councils and local authorities to the Road Development Authority. The decision follows recommendations from District Coordination Committees.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The cabinet meeting held on July 20, 2026, granted approval for the formation of a committee chaired by an Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development. The committee has been tasked with evaluating roads currently maintained by provincial councils and local authorities for potential transfer to the Road Development Authority (RDA).
The proposal emerged following submissions by District Coordination Committees, which assessed road conditions and maintenance capacity across their respective jurisdictions. The committee will examine which roads meet criteria for the transition and submit detailed recommendations for cabinet consideration.
The move is intended to streamline road management and maintenance by consolidating oversight under a single national authority. Officials believe the RDA's institutional capacity and resources could improve road conditions and ensure consistent maintenance standards across transferred routes.
The committee is expected to present its findings within a specified timeframe, outlining a phased approach for transferring roads and addressing any administrative or financial implications of the transition. The initiative reflects efforts to optimize infrastructure management at the national level.