Sri Lanka benefiting from external highway investment

Key highway projects in Sri Lanka are now moving forward. Chinese investment will finance a new tolled highway in Sri Lanka. The project for the US$1.5 billion tolled highway is being handled jointly by China Merchants Hua Jian Highway Investment Company and China Merchants Holdings (International) Company. The agreement is to build and operate the highway over a 25-30 year period, and which will be constructed in four separate phases. The first phase will be from Enderamulla to Ambepussa, with the second from Pellendeniya to Dambulla, the third from Ambepussa to Kandy and the fourth from Mirigama to Pellendeniya. Meanwhile the 943 Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $98 million loan to upgrade rural roads in the north of Sri Lanka. This ADB-funded plan will see some 120km of provincial roads being improved as part of the Northern Road Connectivity Project. Key sections of road to be improved include an 11km section of the Vavuniya-Horowpathana Road, a 13km stretch of the Medawchchiya-Kebithgollewa Road, a 12.6km segment of the Medawchchiya Road and a 31km stretch of the Kebithgollewa-Padaviya Road. The north of Sri Lanka is now seeing investment and development after a long period of decline. In addition Sri Lanka is seeking a further $75 million loan from the ADB to develop five access roads to the Southern Expressway as well as five highways linking to three interchanges under the Southern Road Connectivity Project.