Mar 09, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has received a combined total of US$ 185 million loans from Saudi Fund for Development, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and OPEC Fund for International Development(OFID) to improve the national road network of the island.

The Saudi Fund for Development has granted US$ 60 million (Saudi Riyal 225 million) for the rehabilitation and improvement of about 144 km of the national road network.

With the Saudi assistance, nearly 11 kilometers of the road fom Katugastota to Alawathugoda on Kandy - Jaffna Road (A9) will be improved at a cost of Rs. 767 million and the 17 kilometer segment from Alawathugoda to Palapathwela will be rehabilitated and improved at a cost of Rs. 949 million.

A portion of the Saudi loan will also be used to improve a 14-kilometer road section of Dehiowita - Deraniyagala - Noori Road (B093) from Dehiowita to Deraniyagala at a cost of Rs.1.09 billion.

An 8.5-kilometer segment of Thampalakamarn - Kinniya Road (B541) from Thambalagamuwa to Surangal Junction will also be reconstructed at cost of Rs.875.8 million.

The government has received US$ 85 million form the ADB to finance a portion of highway upgrading component of the National Highways Sector Project. Under the project A-24 Road from Matara to Godagama will be improved at a cost of Rs. 639 million.

A loan of US$ 40 million (Rs. 5.07 billion) received from OFID will be used to improve a 14-kilometer segment of Galle - Deniyaya - Madampe Road (A17) from Rakwana to Madampe at a cost of Rs. 2.05 billion and Karandana Bridge on Polgahawela - Kegalla Road (A19) will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs. 247.7 million.

President, in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways has received approval from the cabinet following the recommendations made by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC) to carry out the projects.