Nov 14, Colombo: A new rest area on Sri Lanka's Southern Expressway that is under construction now will be completed by the end of this month and opened for public, highway authorities said.

The rest area which is under construction at Welipenna on the 44th kilometer from Kottawa on the Southern Expressway comprises rest rooms, restaurants, supermarkets, service stations, clothing shops, children play area, coffee shops, parking areas, and fuel stations.

Earlier this year the government established a new state-owned company, Sri Lanka Insurance Resorts and SPAS Private Limited to maintain the rest areas on the Southern Expressway.

The new company, which is a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, on a 99 year lease will take over the development, operation and maintenance of the rest areas on the Southern Expressway.