Japan agrees to lend funds to Sri Lankan light rail system for capital Colombo

Japan's overseas development agency said Monday that it has agreed to lend funds for a new USD 1.5-billion light rail system for Sri Lanka's congested capital Colombo. Colombo traffic slows to an average speed of fewer than seven kilometres (four miles) an hour during peak times, making it one of the lowest in South Asia.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to provide a loan of 30.04 billion yen (USD 270 million). Under the deal, Japanese technology including rolling stock and electromechanical equipment will be utilised in the project, it added.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system with 16 stations over 15.7 kilometres (9.8 miles) will operate on an elevated track in and around Colombo. "It will fundamentally change the face of public transport in this country, ease traffic congestion and improve the environment of Colombo city," the statement said.

The Japanese loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 per cent and is repayable over 40 years with a 12-year grace period, JICA said. Japan has already funded sections of new expressways and a key bridge to reduce traffic congestion in and out of the capital.

Sri Lanka has seen a massive rollout of ports, highways and railroads in recent years but several ambitious infrastructure projects ended up as white elephants and left the country facing a mountain of debt -- mainly to China. Unable to service its loans, the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leased a Chinese-built port at Hambantota to a Beijing company for USD 1.12 billion in 2017.

(With inputs from agencies.)