Nov 02, Colombo: A 25- feet high earth mound collapsed over the Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka's only highway, blocking around 200 meter section of the road, Road development Authority said.

The southbound lane toward Galle from Kottawa on the Southern Expressway has been closed between Dodangoda and Welipenna exit points, due to the earth slip near the Welipenna interchange.

The southbound lane is completely covered with rocks and soil while earth has slipped towards the northbound lane also breaking the barrier in the median.

Expressway employees are presently removing the earth mound using earth movers. Reportedly, the clearance operation is likely to take several days.

Colombo to Galle traffic is diverted from Dodangoda interchange and Galle to Colombo traffic is also delayed. Motorists from Colombo using the Southern Expressway are advised to exit from the Dodangoda exit point.