The World Bank on Wednesday approved US$110 million to repair and reconstruct 600 kilometres of roads severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, financing routed through the International Development Association’s Crisis Response Window.

The money will prioritise roads that restore access to markets, schools and health facilities in the worst-affected communities, Lanka Business Online reported. Rebuilt roads are to be constructed to climate-resilient standards, with improved drainage, landslide protection and engineering intended to withstand extreme weather.

The financing extends the ongoing Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project by three years, bringing total World Bank investment under that operation to US$610 million.

Expected reach

The investment is expected to directly benefit more than 830,000 people and reach close to two million across eight target districts. The World Bank projects roughly 5,671 new or improved jobs in reconstruction and maintenance work, and says close to 22,000 tea, vegetable and paddy farmers will be reconnected to buyers and supply chains.

“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.”

The damage being repaired

Cyclone Ditwah struck in November 2025, causing an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and affecting nearly two million people across all 25 districts.

The transport sector alone absorbed roughly US$973 million of that — close to 2,000 kilometres of provincial roads, more than 3,500 kilometres of rural roads and close to 700 bridges. Recovery needs for the sector were put at US$1.31 billion, meaning Wednesday’s approval covers under a tenth of the assessed requirement.

The project is aligned with the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework for Sri Lanka for 2026–2030, which treats resilient infrastructure and connectivity as foundations for recovery and private sector-led growth.

Hiru News and Newswire carried the same figures. None of the accounts gives a start date for the works or names the eight districts.