Sri Lanka rejects bridge linking Tamil Nadu and North-East

The Sri Lankan government says it will oppose  India’s plans to build a bridge between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil homeland in the North-East of the island.

Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella, who is also University Education and Highways Minister, said that Sri Lanka will not agree to the proposals, which India has repeatedly put forward in recent times.

“We are against it because people of Sri Lanka are opposed to it. We cannot let India build a sea bridge connecting Rameswaram with Thalaimannar,” the minister told media on Friday.

On Wednesday, Indian Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in parliament that a bridge and tunnel will be built with ADB financing, linking the two countries.

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to fully finance a bridge-building project connecting Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka. The project was also discussed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his counterpart during the latter’s recent visit,” Mr. Gadkari said in a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, The Hindu reported.

“The government, right from the day it assumed office, has been focussed on enhancing regional cooperation. Subsequent to Modi’s announcement of ‘Act East policy’, India proactively engaged in building effective and credible links between South Asia and Southeast Asia through enhanced regional connectivity,” he further said.