India Delivers Five Bailey Bridges to Sri Lanka Under $450 Million Reconstruction Package

India has handed over another consignment of Bailey bridges to Sri Lanka as part of its bilateral development cooperation and ongoing support for the island nation’s post-disaster reconstruction efforts.

The latest consignment, weighing more than 250 metric tonnes, was handed over on August 8 by Indian Deputy High Commissioner Maitrey to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Upali Samarasinghe.

The delivery comprises five modular Bailey bridges valued at over USD 5 million, according to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Transport. It is the third consignment of bridges supplied by India following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The bridges will be installed by Indian Army engineers at locations across Sri Lanka, helping restore road connectivity in communities where infrastructure was severely damaged by floods and landslides.

The assistance forms part of India’s USD 450 million post-disaster reconstruction package, announced on December 23, 2025, during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka. The package includes USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million in grants.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in November, triggered widespread flooding and landslides, killing more than 640 people and leaving 173 missing. The disaster caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 to provide relief, recovery assistance and support the restoration of vital connectivity.

Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority was subsequently reported to have incurred losses of nearly SLR 75 billion due to the destruction of roads and bridges.

The latest bridge delivery underscores India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka’s recovery, infrastructure rebuilding and long-term development, further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.