China pledges support for Sri Lanka’s post-Ditwah infrastructure reconstruction
COLOMBO – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has assured his personal intervention to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild roads, railways, and bridges damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, said in a statement following high-level discussions held during Wang Yi’s brief visit to the island.
According to the foreign ministry, the two ministers held talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, development assistance, and tourism, with particular attention to Sri Lanka’s post-cyclone reconstruction needs.
Minister Herath said he formally requested the assistance of the Chinese government for critical infrastructure development, including the reconstruction of identified roads, railway lines, and bridges severely affected by the cyclone.
“In this regard, I particularly requested the assistance of the Chinese government in infrastructure development, including the reconstruction of roads, railways, and bridges damaged by Cyclone Ditwah,” Herath said.
He added that Minister Wang Yi assured his personal intervention on the request and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka is on the right path toward early recovery, while reaffirming China’s fullest support for the country’s reconstruction and development efforts.
Wang Yi’s visit comes three weeks after Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka, during which India pledged assistance worth US$450 million, including a US$100 million grant, to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from the cyclone.
India’s assistance package includes support for the restoration of road, railway, and bridge connectivity, construction of houses, strengthening of health and education systems, assistance to the agriculture sector, and measures aimed at improving disaster response and preparedness.
Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late 2025, caused extensive damage to infrastructure across several regions, disrupting transport networks and livelihoods. The government has been seeking international support to accelerate recovery and rebuild critical connectivity, viewed as essential for economic revival and humanitarian relief.
-ENCL
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