Sri Lanka seeks Chinese assistance to repair railways damaged by Cyclone Ditwah
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has requested technical and financial assistance from China to repair railway tracks and bridges damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
The request was made during a meeting between Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, which also noted that Herath briefed the Chinese envoy on the extensive damage caused to the country’s transport infrastructure by the late-November cyclone, with particular emphasis on the railway network.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong assured Herath that the request would be conveyed to the Chinese government without delay and said China would assess the scope of damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah to determine how best it could extend support to Sri Lanka.
The statement noted that China is also considering assistance for other cyclone-related damages, following further assessments of needs on the ground.
In addition to post-disaster recovery support, Minister Herath requested China to consider providing a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to Sri Lanka as a grant, in line with the government’s push towards sustainable transport and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
Chinese electric vehicle brands currently dominate Sri Lanka’s EV market, and the proposed charging infrastructure is expected to support the growing adoption of electric mobility while strengthening bilateral cooperation in the renewable energy and green transport sectors.
Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread flooding and landslides across the island, severely damaging roads, bridges, rail lines, and other critical infrastructure, and disrupting transport services in several districts. The government has been seeking international assistance to support reconstruction efforts as the country continues to recover from both the disaster and its broader economic challenges.
-ENCL
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