Highway construction by Chinese firm in Batticaloa district suspended

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2010, 06:47 GMT]
All highway construction work in Batticaloa district by State-run China Overseas Holdings limited company has been suspended following the explosion of stored dynamites in Karadiyan-aa’ru police station 17 September. The deaths of two Chinese engineers in the explosion, shortage of explosives and the additional expense incurred in transporting granite from other places are said to be the reasons for the suspension. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Highway Development Authority has nothing to do with the construction work carried out by the Chinese company, sources in Batticaloa said.

Around 2000 kg dynamites in containers parked in Karadiyan-aa’ru police station had exploded killing and injuring many people.

A 35 feet deep crater with a diameter of 10 feet is left by the explosion.

Batticaloa-Ampaa’rai road, Batticaloa-Verukal road, Chengkaladi-Badulla road are some of the roads being renovated by the Chinese firm.

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