Sri Lanka says no discussions with India on sea bridge

The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday said it had not held any discussions with India over constructing a sea bridge and tunnel connecting the two countries.

Sri Lankan government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said there had been no talks held between the two countries over the connectivity bridge, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Formally and informally, no talks have been held. We have not entered into any talks with India on this subject," he said.

India's Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari earlier this month said Sri Lanka was interested in building a bridge connecting the two countries and discussions have been held on the issue.

Even the Asian Development Bank had made a recommendation regarding the project, Gadkari said.

"The project is under consideration, it is under discussion. But nothing has been finalised," he was quoted by the media as saying.

The proposed bridge will link a 22-km stretch between Talaimannar in Sri Lanka's north and Dhanushkodi, in India's south and will cost $5.19 billion.

--IANS

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