Saudi Fund for Development Provides $425 Million in Concessional Loans for 13 Major Projects in Sri Lanka

(UTVNEWS-COLOMBO) Since its establishment, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has provided 15 concessional development loans to Sri Lanka, totaling approximately US $425 million, to finance and implement 13 major projects across the sectors of water, energy, health, roads, and education .

The 13 Major Projects

1. Colombo Water Supply and Sewerage Project (loan in 1981) – improving urban water and sanitation systems
   2. Electric Power Transmission Network (1981) – national energy infrastructure upgrade ()
   3. Mahaweli Ganga Development – Left Bank (early‑1980s) – irrigation and agriculture support ()
   4. Health facilities upgrade in Colombo (2002 & 2008) – including Neuro‑Trauma unit
   5. Batticaloa–Trincomalee road upgrade (2004) – improved transport in Eastern Province
   6. Expansion of Health Facilities (2008) – second phase of Colombo health infrastructure ()
   7. Epilepsy Hospital & Health Centre (Colombo National Hospital) (constructed 2008, additional loan in 2015) – 242‑bed specialized center ()
   8. Kalu Ganga Development Project (Left Bank expansion, ~USD 45 M, 2010/2017) – irrigation, reservoir and canal system
   9. Road Network Development / National highways improvements including Peradeniya–Badulla–Chenkaladi (~USD 60 M, started 2015, completed 2021)
   10. Wayamba University Township Development (~USD 28 M, launched 2017) – campus infrastructure, benefiting 5,000+ students annually
   11. Medical Faculty at Sabaragamuwa University (Ratnapura) (~USD 50 M, signed 2019) – new faculty of medicine infrastructure
   12. Kinniya Bridge (Trincomalee District) – financed under loan agreement around 2017, benefiting ~100,000 residents
   13. Neuro‑Trauma Unit at Colombo National Hospital – specialized neurotrauma center funded as one of health‑sector projects

Regarding the Wayamba University Township Development Project, a loan agreement was signed on 24 October 2017 for USD 28 million (equivalent to approximately SAR 105 million) to fund the development of Wayamba University. The project aims to expand and enhance educational infrastructure to serve more than 5,000 students, improving the quality of education and strengthening the long-term economic and social capabilities of the surrounding community. The scope of the project includes expanding teaching facilities, upgrading academic infrastructure, and enhancing the university’s appeal as an educational hub in the areas of Kuliyapitiya and Makandura.

By:
Khaled bin Hamoud Al-Kahtani
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sri Lanka