Eu pledge support in rebuilding road network

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The European Union has pledged further support to rehabilitate the road network between Siyambalanduwa to Akkaraipattu via Pottuvil with a grant of Rs. 3.8 billion with co-financing from the Asian Development Bank.

Meanwhile, Matara-Wellawaya road which was devastated by the tsunami was rehabilitated with a grant of 4.6 billion by the European Union and completed before schedule.

The ceremony to hand over the rehabilitated Matara- Wellawaya road took place at the Temple Trees last week. The Ambassador, the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Bernard Savage handed over the documents relating to the Matara Wellawaya road to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Ambassador Bernard Savage said at a media briefing in Colombo last week that the newly reconstructed 158 km road is a gift to Sri Lanka from the people of Europe. "It is in the spirit of friendship and solidarity."

He further said that the road will serve as a link to promote economic ties and social and cultural friendship between the people of the South and East.

He further said that a 78 km stretch from Siyambalanduwa to Akkaraipattu via Pottuvil will also be rehabilitated at a cost of Rs. 3.8 billion by the European Union and will be co-financed by the Asian Development Bank.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Highways, Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said the road from Matara to Wellawaya that spans 158 km was rehabilitated to international standards in keeping with other requirements.

He said the villagers would reap economic benefits when they transport their produce from one province to another.