The World Bank today approved $110 million to help Sri Lanka repair and reconstruct 600 kilometers of roads that were severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
The new financing, provided through the International Development Association's Crisis Response Window, will prioritize roads that restore access to markets, schools, and health facilities in the communities most severely affected by the cyclone.
Reconstructed roads will be built to climate-resilient standards incorporating improved drainage systems, landslide protection measures, and updated engineering to withstand extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe.
“Cyclone Ditwah has had a devastating impact on connectivity across Sri Lanka, but rebuilding also gives us an opportunity to build back stronger,” said Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka. “This is about more than fixing roads. It is about restoring livelihoods, reconnecting farmers to markets and families to essential services, and ensuring that the infrastructure rebuilt today is resilient enough to withstand future shocks.”
This new financing extends the ongoing Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project (ICDP) by three years, bringing total World Bank investment in Sri Lanka's transport connectivity under the operation to $610 million.
The investment is expected to directly benefit more than 830,000 people, with close to two million people reached across eight target districts. The investment is also expected to create roughly 5,671 new or improved jobs in reconstruction and maintenance activities, and benefit close to 22,000 tea, vegetable, and paddy farmers by reconnecting them to buyers and supply chains.
Cyclone Ditwah struck the island in November 2025, causing an estimated $4.1 billion in damages and affecting nearly two million people across all 25 districts.
The transport sector sustained approximately $973 million in damages, including close to 2,000 kilometers of provincial roads, more than 3,500 kilometers of rural roads, and close to 700 bridges, with recovery needs estimated at $1.31 billion.
The project is aligned with the World Bank Group's Country Partnership Framework for Sri Lanka for 2026–2030, which identifies resilient infrastructure and connectivity as foundations for recovery and private sector-led growth.
