Sri Lanka is set to receive an additional USD 6 million from the Saudi Fund for Development for the rehabilitation of roads damaged by Cyclone Ditwa, following discussions held at Parliament, the Ministry of Transport said.
The meeting took place between Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake and senior officials of the Saudi Fund for Development.
The Saudi delegation included Senior Specialist (Loan Operations) Mohammed Al-Masoud, Senior Loan Specialist Abdulrahman M. Al-Sogheir and Project Analyst Faisal Al-Mulith. Secretary to the Ministry, Dr. Kapila Perera, was also present at the discussions.
During the meeting, Minister Rathnayake briefed the Saudi officials on Sri Lanka’s current development trajectory, the impact of Cyclone Ditwa, and the measures taken by the Government in response to the disaster. Political stability and recent economic progress in the country were also discussed.
Officials noted that the Saudi Fund for Development has already invested approximately USD 60 million in development projects across Sri Lanka. In addition, the fund agreed to provide a further USD 6 million specifically for the repair and rehabilitation of road infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwa.
The Saudi delegation also expressed willingness to continue supporting the development of Sri Lanka’s national highway network, the ministry said.
Further details on project implementation and timelines are expected to be announced in due course. (Newswire)
