India Delivers More Bailey Bridges To Rebuild Sri Lanka Connectivity
India supplies bridges to restore Sri Lanka links.
India has handed over another batch of Bailey bridges to Sri Lanka as part of ongoing efforts to restore connectivity and strengthen infrastructure in the island nation. India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Maitrey Kulkarni, handed over the bridges to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Upali Samarasinghe on Thursday.
The newly provided Bailey bridges weigh more than 250 metric tonnes and will be installed across Sri Lanka by engineers of the Indian Army. The bridges are expected to help restore damaged connectivity links and support infrastructure development in areas affected by disruptions.
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said the bridge assistance is part of India’s USD 450 million reconstruction package announced for Sri Lanka. The package focuses on rebuilding and restoring critical infrastructure, including roads, railway networks and bridges, along with support for housing, healthcare, education, agriculture and disaster preparedness.
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The latest assistance comes amid continued efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation. During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the island nation under the “Neighbourhood First” policy and the “Vision MAHASAGAR” framework.
During the visit, Misri held meetings with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja. He also met Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and representatives of Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil communities to review ongoing areas of cooperation.
India has provided significant development assistance to Sri Lanka over the years, covering sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, railways, energy and livelihood projects. Last week, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha said India’s assistance for development projects in the country has exceeded USD 7.5 billion, including more than USD 850 million in grants, with projects spread across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.
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