The first phase of a Chinese government-funded emergency project to reconstruct essential bridges damaged by natural disasters in Sri Lanka was officially launched today (November 1), near the Yakkala Seventh Bridge.

The project, titled the China Government Emergency Assistance Project for Post-Disaster Bridge Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, and the Road Development Authority.

The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, with the participation of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. Wei Huaxiang.

The project is being implemented as an emergency reconstruction initiative under a full financial grant from the Chinese Government, following an agreement between the governments of Sri Lanka and China. A total of 14 bridges have been identified for reconstruction under two phases, the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.

The first phase will cover nine bridges, while the remaining five bridges will be reconstructed during the second phase.

The nine bridges included in the first phase are located in the districts of Gampaha, Kegalle, Ampara, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa.

The official launch of the project was marked by the commencement of renovation work on the Bemmulla Bridge along the Aluthgama–Wigoda Road in the Gampaha District.

The estimated total cost of renovating the nine bridges is 79 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately Rs. 3,933 million. The entire construction cost will be provided through a grant from the Chinese Government, the Transport Ministry added.