The Road Development Authority has introduced a 10 percent discount on each journey for users of its electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, Newswire reported on Monday.
The ETC system, operated by the RDA under the Exway brand, currently runs at the Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya, Ja-Ela and Katunayake interchanges, with the authority planning to extend coverage to Kadawatha in the near future. The expressway is the country’s busiest tolled corridor, carrying most airport-bound traffic and a high share of Western Province commuter volumes.
Vehicle owners can register for the system online at www.exway.rda.gov.lk, collect a radio-frequency identification tag at any participating interchange and top up their accounts through GovPay or bank cards. The RDA reminded drivers using ETC lanes to maintain a speed of 15 kilometres per hour at entry and exit points and keep a 20-metre following distance for safety.
The discount is the first headline consumer incentive attached to the ETC rollout, which the Transport Ministry had earlier signalled would be expanded after an automated expressway toll system was announced for launch by year-end. Separately, Cabinet has already approved an Rs. 11 billion lighting upgrade for the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway.
Manual toll lanes will continue to operate alongside the ETC channels. The 10 percent discount is open-ended in the initial Newswire account, with no end date or volume cap disclosed.
Update — June 16: Awareness drive expands
Ada Derana, which corroborated the scheme on Monday, said the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development had held an awareness programme on the enhanced ETC facilities and confirmed that motorists are entitled to a 10 percent discount on toll charges for every journey made through the system. NewsFirst followed with a separate report on Tuesday morning, citing the Ministry’s safety advisory for motorists using automated lanes: a 15 km/h speed limit at ETC entry and exit points and a 20-metre safe following distance.
