Colombo, August 6 (ANI): In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral connectivity, India on Thursday handed over a fresh consignment of Bailey bridges weighing more than 250 metric tons to Sri Lanka.
The handover took place during an official ceremony in which India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Maitrey K, transferred the infrastructure materials to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasinghe.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a post on X, “The next set of Bailey Bridges, weighing over 250 MT, was handed over today by the Deputy High Commissioner, Maitrey K, to Hon. Upali Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Sri Lanka. Part of India’s USD 450 million reconstruction package, these bridges will be installed across Sri Lanka by Indian Army engineers, restoring connectivity and supporting infrastructure development.”
The bridges are a key component of India’s USD 450 million reconstruction package aimed at supporting regional development and rebuilding critical infrastructure across Sri Lanka. Once installed by Indian Army engineers, the bridges are expected to address transportation bottlenecks and restore vital connectivity to isolated communities.
The initiative underscores the ongoing strategic and development partnership between New Delhi and Colombo, with a focus on accelerating infrastructure restoration and promoting long-term socioeconomic resilience.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri concluded his official visit to Colombo on Wednesday, during which he reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sri Lanka under its “Neighborhood First” policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The visit marked Misri’s first standalone trip to Sri Lanka as foreign secretary, following earlier visits as part of official delegations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2025 and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in April 2026.
During the visit, Misri called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.
He also held bilateral talks with Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Aruni Ranaraja; met Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa; and held separate meetings with representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) communities.
The bilateral discussions focused on a comprehensive review of ongoing cooperation, key development projects, and other areas of mutual interest.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of several development initiatives, including the USD 450 million reconstruction assistance provided following Cyclone Dithwah.
A key outcome of the visit was the exchange of two Indian rupee-denominated lines of credit totaling USD 350 million—USD 250 million for railway projects and USD 100 million for livestock and other priority sectors. The agreements were exchanged in the presence of President Dissanayaka by the High Commissioner of India and Sri Lanka’s Treasury Secretary. (ANI)
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