Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority (RDA) has suffered an estimated loss of about Rs. 75 billion due to widespread damage to roads and bridges caused by recent disaster conditions across the island, officials told a parliamentary committee.
Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Highways and Urban Development said preliminary assessments indicate that 316 roads and 40 bridges under the RDA’s purview were damaged. They added that an estimated Rs. 190 billion would be required for full rehabilitation work to restore the affected infrastructure.
The disclosures were made at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, held on Dec. 11 at Parliament under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar, to review the impact of the disaster and measures to assess the resulting social, economic and environmental damage.
During the meeting, the committee chair noted that assessments of damage to railway lines and regional roads had yet to be completed and stressed the need for the ministry to take the lead in establishing a mechanism to allocate funds for the rehabilitation of regional roads.
Officials said plans are underway to secure a Rs. 2 billion loan from the World Bank, while additional funding is expected from several other institutions to support rehabilitation efforts.
Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported losses of approximately Rs. 20 billion due to damage caused by the disaster. CEB officials said discussions are ongoing with the World Bank to obtain funding. The committee chair urged the board to seek grant assistance instead of loans, warning that borrowing could lead to higher electricity tariffs for consumers.
Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd. reported losses of around Rs. 252 million but said repair costs could be met through existing budgetary allocations without the need for additional loans or grants.
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board reported estimated losses of about Rs. 5.6 billion. Officials said 156 water supply schemes were damaged but have since been restored following maintenance work. The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply said efforts are underway to obtain grant funding from the Asian Development Bank for rehabilitation.
Emphasizing preparedness for future disasters, the committee chair said the Sectoral Oversight Committee stands ready to provide support to relevant ministries and institutions.
Several members of Parliament, including Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera and Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, along with senior officials, attended the meeting. (Newswire)
