Roads to the future

Bhagya SENARATNE-Finance and Planning Ministry

Where does a country lie without a way forward? Taking this into consideration, the National Budget for 2011 proposes allocations for the expansion of national roadways. The aim is to both expand the road network as well as to better the existing roadways.

The new Budget has allocated a sum of Rs 109 million for this purpose. The government's aim is to develop national and provincial roads in the entire country before 2013.'

In an attempt to making this goal a reality, the Government has already started its work. The Government has come to an agreement with the Export Import Bank of China to get financial support for the improvement and rehabilitation of several projects to be taken up in our country.

The Chinese Bank will provide a credit facility of US $ 259.78 million for this purpose. Some of the road networks that will benefit from this project are the 67km Nauatkuli-Karaitivu-Mannar road and the 113km Puttalam-Maurichchikade-Mannar road in the Northwestern region.

In the South the 15km section from Pinnaduwa to Kodagoda of the Southern Transport Development Project as well as the 15km from Kodagoda to Godagama will be developed. The total cost for these projects will be US $ 305.63 million.

The Chinese Bank will be contributing 85 percent of the funds required whilst the Sri Lankan Government will be providing the balance 15 percent.

A country cannot develop with only the urban areas having sufficient road networks which are of up to standards.

Therefore, a further Rs 20 million has been allocated through the Budget to support the development initiative of the provincial roads.

Through this method, the Government will be able to meet its goal of connecting the country by 2013.

A road network system connecting the entire country will support the development process that the Government is striving for.

This further promotes connectivity and helps all sectors of the country's economy. By promoting and supporting this initiative the Government looks towards heading for the future. In this manner, the Government is laying the roads to the future of the country.