Rural bridges to be constructed under credit facility of USD 44.14 m

A press release from the Finance and Planning Ministry states:

The Hong Kong and Shanghi Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has agreed to provide a credit facility of USD 44.14 million to finance construction and rehabilitation of 210 rural bridges with lengths from 6 - 30 metres covering the entire island.

Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and British High Commissioner John Rankin after signing the HSBC Credit Facility Agreement for construction of bridges in the country

The mobility of the rural and estate sector has been greatly restricted because of the non-existence of the required infrastructure, especially bridges over perennial water bodies, resulting in physical and mental isolation of rural and estate communities, and a severe limitation in their interaction with nearby communities. Further, opportunities to exchange resources and utilize the facilities available in other town centers are restricted in estate and rural areas.

Children in rural and estate communities do not get the opportunity to enjoy laboratory, library and IT facilities in urban areas and semi-urban areas due to poor transport facilities in these areas. Moreover, most of the bridges in these areas are at least 50 years old and the maintenance and rehabilitation have not kept abreast with the rapid growth in demand for road transport.

The construction of these bridges will immensely facilitate in creating opportunities for rural and estate communities residing in the remote areas connecting a number of villages. It will enhance the quality of living standards of the people in these areas.

Reduction of travel time and travelling distance would bring benefits to these communities. Further, it will link rural communities with the mainstream of development and ensure the equal distribution of the country's development benefits between urban, rural and estate sector.

The Credit Facility Agreement was signed by Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera on behalf of the Sri Lanka government, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka John Rankin and Nawalage Sriyan Suresh Cooray of HSBC on July 24, 2012.