Sept 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka will award several road projects in southern Sri Lanka to China to develop the infrastructure under the under Hambantota Hub Development Project at a cost of US$ 303 million.

According the government, 85 percent of the total cost, US$ 240 million will be funded by the EXIM Bank of China and the balance 15 percent will be borne by the Sri Lankan government.

The proposal, presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways has received approval from the Cabinet of ministers to award the contract for the construction of Roads and Flyovers under Hambantota Hub Development Project to the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited.

The project also includes the construction of a 23.34 km segment of the Mirijjewila - Sooriyawewa Road, 18.28 km segment of the Sooriyawewa-Moraketiya-Embilipitiya Road, 6.64 km of Outer Circular Road, a 16.15 km segment of Ranna- Wetiya Road, a 18.53 km segment of Wetiya-Sooriyawewa-Andarawewa Road and the construction of the Wetiya-Narnadagaswewa flyover.

China is already funding a US$ 361 million port, a US$ 209 million airport and several other infrastructure projects in Hambantota.