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Sri Lanka Toll Roads 2025: Complete Guide
System: Distance-based toll collection
Operator: Road Development Authority (RDA) - EOM&M Division
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Coverage: 271+ km of expressways
Technology: Manual toll collection + Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on E03
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Sri Lanka? 2025 Update
Yes, all vehicles using Sri Lanka's expressway network must pay distance-based tolls. Sri Lanka operates a limited but growing toll road system consisting of modern expressways designed for high-speed travel.
Toll Roads in Operation:
- E01 Southern Expressway - Kottawa to Hambantota (222 km)
- E03 Colombo-Katunayake Expressway - Colombo to Airport (25.8 km)
- Central Expressway - Mirigama to Kurunegala (partial sections)
- Outer Circular Highway (OCH) - Around Colombo (28.9 km)
Future Developments:
- E02 Colombo-Kandy Expressway - Under construction
- Additional expressway extensions planned
Sri Lanka Toll Costs: Current Rates
Sri Lanka uses distance-based toll calculation with rates varying by vehicle category and route. Toll increases of approximately 25% were implemented in April 2023.
Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Category (2025)
| Vehicle Category | Description | Rate Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Cars, motorcycles, light vehicles | Base rate per km |
| Category 2 | Light commercial vehicles, small buses | Base rate × 1.5 |
| Category 3 | Medium trucks, larger buses (6 wheels) | Base rate × 2.5 |
| Category 4 | Heavy vehicles, large trucks (over 6 wheels) | Base rate × 4 |
Major Route Toll Examples (2025 Rates)
| Route | Category 1 (Cars) | Category 3 (6-wheel) | Category 4 (Heavy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katunayake to Hambantota | LKR 1,300 | LKR 2,350 | LKR 3,950 |
| Kottawa to Katunayake | LKR 400 | LKR 720 | LKR 1,200 |
| Kottawa to Galle | LKR 500 | LKR 900 | LKR 1,500 |
| Mirigama to Kurunegala (Central) | LKR 300 | LKR 450 | LKR 700 |
How Sri Lanka Toll System Works
Payment Methods
Manual Toll Collection (Most Expressways):
- Cash payment at toll plazas
- Receive ticket upon entry, pay upon exit
- Distance-based calculation
- 24/7 toll booth operation
Electronic Toll Collection - ETC (E03 Only):
- Available on Colombo-Katunayake Expressway
- Pre-registered transponder system
- Automatic payment without stopping
- Faster transit through dedicated ETC lanes
Special Features
Transit Toll Terminals:
- Kerawalapitiya Transit - Lower rates for through traffic
- Kerawalapitiya Exit/Entrance - Standard rates for local access
- Separate pricing structure for different terminal types
Emergency Services:
- 24-hour emergency response via 1969 hotline
- Ambulance, police, fire, and rescue services
- Emergency vehicle access points along expressways
Recent Changes (2025)
- April 2023: Major toll increases (approximately 25% across all categories)
- Enhanced ETC rollout: Electronic systems being installed on Southern Expressway
- New expressway sections: Additional Central Expressway segments opened
- Improved emergency services: Enhanced 24/7 response capabilities
- Digital integration: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implementation
Penalties & Regulations
Lost Ticket Policy
- Maximum distance charge: If toll ticket is lost, maximum fare from furthest entry point to exit is charged
- Keep tickets safe: Retain entry ticket for the entire journey
- No exceptions: Lost ticket policy applies to all vehicle categories
Speed Limits
- Expressway design speed: Up to 120 km/h
- Operational speed limit: 100 km/h
- Minimum speed: 80 km/h in some sections
- Enforcement: Speed cameras and patrol units
Planning Your Sri Lanka Journey
Cost Considerations
- Short airport trips: LKR 400 (Kottawa-Katunayake)
- Cross-island travel: LKR 1,300+ (Katunayake-Hambantota)
- Regional travel: LKR 300-500 for medium distances
- Commercial vehicles: Significantly higher rates (2.5x to 4x car rates)
Travel Tips
- Cash preparation: Ensure sufficient LKR for toll payments
- Ticket safety: Keep entry ticket secure throughout journey
- Route planning: Consider expressway tolls vs. free road travel time
- Peak avoidance: Expressways reduce journey time regardless of traffic
- Emergency preparedness: Note 1969 emergency number
Sri Lanka vs. Regional Countries
| Country | System Type | Network Size | Payment Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Distance-based tolls | 271+ km expressways | Cash + ETC (limited) | Growing network |
| India | Distance-based tolls | 50,000+ km highways | FASTag electronic | Extensive network |
| Maldives | No toll roads | N/A | N/A | Island nation, no highways |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay tolls on all Sri Lankan roads?
No, tolls are only required on designated expressways (E-roads). Regular A-roads, B-roads, and local roads are free to use.
Can I pay tolls with foreign currency?
No, tolls must be paid in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Foreign currency is not accepted at toll plazas.
What happens if I lose my toll ticket?
You will be charged the maximum possible fare from the furthest entry point to your exit point. Keep your ticket safe throughout the journey.
Are there alternative free routes?
Yes, for every expressway section there are alternative free roads (A-roads and B-roads), though these take significantly longer due to traffic and lower speeds.
Do motorcycles pay the same as cars?
Yes, motorcycles are classified as Category 1 vehicles and pay the same rates as cars and light vehicles.
Is electronic toll collection available everywhere?
Currently, ETC is only available on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (E03). It's being rolled out to other expressways gradually.
Can I use expressways 24/7?
Yes, all expressways operate 24 hours a day with staffed toll plazas and emergency services available around the clock.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Losing toll tickets - Keep entry ticket safe; replacement costs maximum distance fare
- Insufficient cash - Ensure adequate LKR for toll payments before journey
- Wrong vehicle category - Commercial vehicles pay significantly higher rates
- Assuming all roads toll - Only expressways charge tolls; regular roads are free
- Speed violations - Expressways have strict speed limits with enforcement
- Emergency number confusion - Use 1969 for expressway emergencies, not general numbers
Expressway Network Details
E01 Southern Expressway
- Route: Kottawa to Hambantota via Galle and Matara
- Length: 222 km (completed in stages 2011-2014)
- Features: Sri Lanka's first expressway, connects Colombo to southern ports
- Major access points: Kottawa, Pinnaduwa (Galle), Godagama (Matara), Hambantota
E03 Colombo-Katunayake Expressway
- Route: Peliyagoda to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Length: 25.8 km (opened 2013)
- Features: ETC system operational, reduces airport travel time to 20 minutes
- Benefits: Vital airport connectivity for tourism and business
Central Expressway
- Route: Mirigama to Kurunegala (extending to Dambulla)
- Status: Partially operational, under expansion
- Purpose: Connects Western Province to Central and North Central regions
Outer Circular Highway (OCH)
- Route: Around Colombo Metropolitan Region
- Length: 28.9 km through Colombo and Gampaha districts
- Purpose: Bypasses Colombo city center, connects radial routes
Useful Links & Resources
- RDA Expressway Operations Division
- Official Toll Rate Schedule
- Independent Toll Calculator
- Emergency Services: 1969 (24/7 expressway emergency hotline)
