Rs. 33.02 Billion Sethsiripaya phase III restarts after years-long delay

Construction work on the Rs. 33.02 billion third phase of Sethsiripaya in Battaramulla resumed today (August 28) after the major government office complex remained unfinished for several years.

Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake participated in the event marking the restart of construction work.

Construction of the third phase of Sethsiripaya began in 2019 but was later halted midway due to various reasons.

Minister Rathnayake said a large amount of public money had already been spent on the project and leaving such a major national asset unfinished for any longer would cause a significant loss to the country and the public.

The third phase of Sethsiripaya is a 25-storey office complex covering approximately 1,359,439 square feet.

The project, currently estimated at Rs. 33.02 billion, is being carried out by the Urban Development Authority in partnership with institutions including the Ministry of Energy, the Inland Revenue Department and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Once completed, the building will provide modern office facilities for several government and semi-government institutions.

It will also include conference halls, public service centres, commercial facilities, parking areas and other facilities required for government and public services.

Minister Rathnayake said the Government wants to reduce the need for members of the public to travel around Colombo to visit several different institutions to complete their work.

He said government services should be made more convenient, efficient and accessible to the public.

A programme is already being implemented to systematically relocate government institutions currently scattered across Colombo, including the Colombo Fort area, to Battaramulla and Sri Jayewardenepura.

According to the Minister, the programme is also expected to reduce the administrative burden on Colombo and support efforts to further develop the city as a stronger commercial centre.

At the same time, the Government plans to further develop Sri Jayewardenepura and Battaramulla as the country’s main administrative centre.

Minister Rathnayake said the target is to complete construction of the third phase of Sethsiripaya within 30 months from August 28, 2026.