Sri Lanka to get $800mn ADB loan to upgrade rural road links

September 26, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka to get 800 million US dollar loan facility which approved by Asian Development Bank yesterday to fund rural and national road upgrades in six provinces in order to improve access of remote communities to markets, services, and jobs, the bank said in a media release. Providing all-weather road access to towns and villages in rural areas will bring greater development and prosperity that will underpin stronger economic growth in Sri Lanka in coming years and decades, Chen Chen, an Senior Transport Specialist of Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

Sri Lanka will upgrade and maintain roads in Sabaragamuwa Province and Kalutara District, Central Province, North Central Province and North Western Province though its Integrated Road Investment Program or IRoad project.

The full project running up to mid-2024 will see 2,200 kilometres of access roads under provincial and local authorities being upgraded to 'all weather' standard and maintained for seven years as well as 400 kilometers of national roads.

It will also provide training and support to help national, provincial, and local agencies manage the road network more effectively.

Sri Lanka has strengthened its road network especially after the end of a 30-year war but its upkeep in good