Kurunegala residents protest over dilapidated roads

Villagers protest by planting plantain trees in pot holes.

Plantain trees were planted in potholes along the main road in Kurunegala by residents to protest against the failure of authorities to maintain the roads in the district. The protests came after bus services between Mawathagama and Kahapathwala were suspended as buses could no longer operate along this route, which were not maintained for several years.

Among the roads in a dilapidated condition is the Kurunegala –Wellawa road, for which construction was initially undertaken by a private contractor and later taken over by the Road Development Authority (RDA).

Buses plying between Kurunegala to Wewarauma had their services terminated due to the dilapidated roads, but services were restarted under an assurance given by government authorities that repairs would be carried out. Despite claims by the government that large sums have been allocated for road construction, only Rs. 3.5 million has been allocated so far. Among the more badly damaged roads are the Kurunegala to Wewagedara road, Gonagama road through Thiththawella, Hatharaliadda via Mawathagama, Kahapathwela and Ibbagamuwa to Madagalla road.