The Government of Norway has provided a grant of Rs. 100 million for the rehabilitation of rural roads in the Southern Region of Sri Lanka. The grant has been provided under the ongoing development cooperation programme between Sri Lanka and Norway.

The objective of the project is to improve the transport system in the Southern Region and complement the maintenance of the system.

The project will support Pradeshiya Sabahas and Provincial Councils to rehabilitate and maintain rural roads in the Southern Region. The road rehabilitation programme would include upgrading and improving of 120 km. of rural roads in Galle, Malara, Hambantota, and Ratnapura districts which would be selected on priority basis. It will also provides five bridges and 15 suspension foot bridges for establishing linkages at crossing points which are not serviceable hitherto.

Further a Road Maintenance Fund will be established to implement a systematic maintenance programme for rehabilitated roads with the assistance of Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabahas.

The project will create employment in rural areas and strengthen the economy of the south. It will also improve transport conditions and pave the way for improving access to the vital social services such as schools and hospitals.

The Agreement for this project was signed today at the Ministry of Finance. Hans Brattsker, Ambassador for Norway in Sri Lanka, signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of Norway and Charitha Ratwatte, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Policy Development and Implementation on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.