Fonds LK-NA/78 - Department of Highways

The Department of Highways was established in 1978. It was formerly known as the Public Works Department and the director of public works was in charge of this department. This department was staffed by officers who had received a scientific training and not merely an ordinary liberal education. This department was established in 1867. The work of the Public Works Department was conducted from the head office in Colombo. There were nine provincial engineers offices and thirty four district engineers offices. The work at the head office was conducted under the immediate supervision of an assistant director of public works and was divided as follows: (a) correspondence and records branch, (b) accounting and stores branch, (c) drawing office.
The work in the provincial offices was carried out under the supervision of the provincial engineer with the assistance of the district engineers.
The main duties of the Public Works Department are maintenance of roads, maintenance of inland navigation, maintenance of buildings, special repairs to buildings, additions to buildings, maintenance of bridges, new works and buildings, alterations and additions to buildings, new roads, additions and improvements to roads, new bridges, repairs to bridges
The Public Works Department ceased to function after the Department of Highways was established in 1978. The Department of Highways was also abolished in 1986. It was taken under Road Development Authority