On the Road

European Commission (EC) makes € 39.



4 million grant to Asian Development Bank (ADB) for tsunami rehabilitation in Sri Lanka. European Commission (EC) makes € 39.4 million grant to Asian Development Bank (ADB) for tsunami rehabilitation in Sri Lanka. The Euros will go into the ADB's Tsunami-Affected Areas Rebuilding Project (TAARP), to rehabilitate 270 kilometers of national roads between the towns of Matara on the south coast and Batticaloa on the east coast, said a statement from the local EC office.

These roads, which connect coastal communities, are in a greatly debilitated state and needs pavements, drainage, bridges and road embankments, re-done.

The project will also help build capacity at Sri Lanka's Road Development Authority to sustain national road reconstruction works.

TAARP, estimated to cost US$ 249.3 million, is aimed at improving the living conditions of people in tsunami-affected areas by restoring basic social infrastructure, community and public services, and livelihoods.

The ADB has provided a US$ 150 million grant and a US$ 7 million loan to support the project.

The grant com