Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday, 1 November 2025 01:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma (right) with ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Takafumi Kadono
The Government yesterday signed a $ 90 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Second Integrated Road Investment Program (iRoad 2 – Tranche 5) to improve rural connectivity and strengthen road infrastructure resilience across the country.
The agreement was signed at the General Treasury in Colombo and aims to enhance road transport efficiency by improving links between rural communities and key socioeconomic centres, while also boosting the institutional capacity of national road agencies.
Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma signed on behalf of the Government, while ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Takafumi Kadono signed on behalf of the Asian Development Bank.
Under this tranche, the ADB loan will support the upgrading of around 500 kilometres of rural access roads to all-weather, climate-resilient standards designed to be inclusive and accessible for the elderly, women, children and persons with disabilities. The program will also cover the rehabilitation of about 21 kilometres of national roads and maintenance of 100 kilometres of rural access roads.
The Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry serves as the Executing Agency, with the Road Development Authority (RDA) acting as the Implementing Agency for the initiative.
The iRoad 2 program represents a continued partnership between Sri Lanka and the ADB to modernise the island’s rural road network, improve mobility, and promote inclusive economic growth through better transport infrastructure.
