Columbo, December 26: China has entered into three framework agreements for providing funding to Sri Lanka amounting to USD 410 million for infrastructure development which includes an international airport.
The agreements were signed by Secretary to the Sri Lankan Treasury P B Jayasundera and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Chen Jian, during the former’s three-day official visit to China, a Sri Lankan foreign ministry statement said in Colombo.
Under this agreement, the Chinese government will provide funding for various projects including the country’s second international airport at Mattala in the south-east.
An annual grant agreement was also signed with the Commerce Ministry of China to the value of USD 7 million.
“Jayasundera used the opportunity to apprise Vice Minister Chen Jian of the progress achieved by the Government of Sri Lanka in the fields of power, ports and highway,” the statement said.
The Secretary to the Sri Lankan Treasury also briefed about new construction and development initiatives undertaken by the government.
The top bureaucrat said the Mahinda Rajapaksa government has accorded top priority to speed up construction efforts, especially of roads and railroads linking the North and South.
This would contribute to improving living conditions and livelihood of the people in those provinces, he said.
—Agencies