US to grant Sri Lanka Rs. 80 billion to strengthen development

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Niroshan Perera says that the United States is planning to grant Rs. 80 billion to strengthen Sri Lanka’s development process.

It is proposed to utilize these grants for the development of land, transport, agriculture, higher education and power generation sectors.

The Minister said that after receiving the cabinet approval, the Prime Minister’s Office is in the final phase of the discussions with the US collaborative project office on the proposed development projects.

The relevant agreements between the Sri Lankan government and U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation will be signed in December, the State Minister said.

According to the proposed development projects from these financial grants, a number of ‘A’ grade roads including road from Avissawella to Pelmadulla, from Beragala to Wellawaya, from Naula to Dambulla and from Dambulla to Tala Gaha Wewa are to be developed.

In addition, the state and private sector jointly implement projects to modernize the entire transport system around the country.

Also a project to efficient traffic control in the Colombo city and suburbs will be implemented.

State Minister Perera further stated that a program will be implemented for surveying, registration and valuation of lands island wide covering Gampaha, Kegalle, Matale, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts.