World Bank Approves $110 Mn to Rebuild 600km of Roads Damaged by Ditwah

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka's post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery effort received strong support today (30) after the World Bank approved US$110 million in new financing to repair and reconstruct approximately 600 kilometres of roads severely damaged by the disaster.

The funding, provided through the International Development Association's Crisis Response Window, will focus on restoring key transport links that reconnect affected communities to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, particularly in areas that suffered the greatest damage during the cyclone.

Beyond repairing damaged infrastructure, the project aims to build roads capable of withstanding future climate-related disasters.

Reconstructed roads will be built to climate-resilient standards, incorporating improved drainage systems, landslide protection measures and upgraded engineering designs intended to withstand increasingly frequent and severe weather events.

“Cyclone Ditwah has had a devastating impact on connectivity across Sri Lanka, but rebuilding also gives us an opportunity to build back stronger,” said Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka.

“This is about more than fixing roads. It is about restoring livelihoods, reconnecting farmers to markets and families to essential services, and ensuring that the infrastructure rebuilt today is resilient enough to withstand future shocks,” he added.

The new financing will also extend the ongoing Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project (ICDP) by three years, increasing total World Bank investment in Sri Lanka's transport connectivity sector under the programme to US$610 million.

The initiative is expected to directly benefit more than 830,000 people, while nearly two million people across eight target districts are expected to gain from improved access and connectivity.

Authorities also expect the project to generate approximately 5,671 new or improved jobs through road reconstruction and maintenance activities.

The road rehabilitation programme is anticipated to provide significant support to the agriculture sector as well, with nearly 22,000 tea, vegetable and paddy farmers expected to benefit through improved access to markets, buyers and supply chains.

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in November 2025, leaving a trail of devastation across all 25 districts. The disaster caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and affected nearly two million people nationwide.

The transport sector was among the hardest hit, sustaining approximately US$973 million in damage. The cyclone damaged nearly 2,000 kilometres of provincial roads, more than 3,500 kilometres of rural roads and close to 700 bridges, with total recovery needs in the sector estimated at US$1.31 billion.

The latest funding package aligns with the World Bank Group's Country Partnership Framework for Sri Lanka 2026–2030, which identifies resilient infrastructure and improved connectivity as critical foundations for economic recovery and private-sector-led growth.