Sri Lanka, ADB sign agreement for $ 200 m loan for cyclone reconstruction

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 05:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma (right) with ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Shannon Cowlin

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has extended a $ 200 million loan to support Sri Lanka’s Post-Cyclone Ditwah Reconstruction and Livelihoods Support Project, covering rehabilitation, reconstruction and livelihood recovery measures from 2026 to 2030.

The loan agreement was signed yesterday (18) at the Finance Ministry by Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Shannon Cowlin on behalf of the Asian Development Bank.

The project will finance the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads damaged by Cyclone Ditwah with enhanced climate resilience measures, whilst also supporting restoration of damaged irrigation systems, agricultural livelihood assistance for affected families and housing restoration grants.

The Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry will serve as the executing agency for the project.

The project comprises three key components covering transport infrastructure, irrigation systems and household recovery.

Under the first component, the Road Development Authority (RDA) will undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction of cyclone-damaged road infrastructure.

The second component will focus on restoring damaged irrigation systems through the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL).

The third component will support livelihood restoration and housing recovery of cyclone-affected households, with the Department of Agrarian Development responsible for agricultural assistance and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) handling housing support.

The Finance Ministry said discussions with the ADB were also held to mobilise the financing facility for implementation of the project.