Chinese-built railway line becomes operational in Sri Lanka

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – China claimed on Tuesday (09) major success in implementing its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Sri Lanka by laying a 26.75 kilometre railway line between Matara and Beliatta in Hambantota area of the country, The Times of India reported.

The line became operational on Monday (08). “The railway line is the first railway project contracted by a Chinese company in Sri Lanka under the BRI and it is indeed the first railway built after the country’s independence,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said at a media briefing.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the new project would make regional transportation more convenient and facilitate local economic and social development. The project has cost USD 278 million. The railway extension was financed by the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) and the contract was awarded to the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation.