Sri Lanka woos China for rail, other infrastructure building after Ditwah

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, sought assistance for rebuilding infrastructure, including rehabilitation of bridges and rail lines damaged after Cyclone Ditwah, according to a press release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.   

The Chinese Minister was in Sri Lanka on a transit. He was on his way back to Beijing after a tour of a few African countries.  The Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Chinese Minister assured his personal intervention to secure such assistance for Sri Lanka. 

Minister Yi assured that China would extend its fullest possible cooperation for rebuilding Sri Lanka after the cyclone.   

Meanwhile, India has already committed US $ 450 million for reconstruction work. A part of it will be channelled for railway building. Already, restoration of the northern railway track has begun with Indian assistance.