In brief
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved three contracts worth 3.33 billion rupees to repair road sections damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck late 2025 and caused over 600 deaths and $4.1 billion in damage. The awards were made via a national competitive bidding process to the lowest responsive bidders, and the decision was confirmed by parliamentary reports revealing debates over the contracts’ allocation.
Colombo — Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers approved three road repair contracts worth 3.33 billion rupees (about $10 million) to restore sections damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, a decision released on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
The contracts, awarded through a national competitive bidding process, were nominated by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and selected as the lowest substantially responsive bidders following evaluation by high‑level procurement committees.
In late November to early December 2025, Cyclone Ditwah struck the island, causing more than 600 fatalities and an estimated $4.1 billion in damage, according to the Cabinet's release.
Parliamentary coverage of the cabinet decision, reported by Newswire, noted rising tensions as opposition MPs questioned the speed and transparency of the procurement, while the government maintained that the bidding process was fully compliant with national regulations.
Other coverage, including a feature in the Financial Times, highlighted the broader context of Sri Lanka’s post‑cyclone recovery, noting that incomplete hospitals and washed‑out roads remain pressing concerns as the country struggles to reallocate surplus funds.
The Cabinet’s approval marks a key step in the national recovery effort, with officials expecting the road projects to be completed within the next 12–18 months, thereby improving connectivity and economic activity across the affected regions.