Colombo, Dec. 28, 2021, SPA – In the presence of Sri Lankan Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad inaugurated today a project to improve the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkalady Road in Sri Lanka. SFD is contributing to financing the project with a total cost of USD60 million in a bid to developing the infrastructure of the transport sector and reducing death and injury rates resulting from traffic accidents, improving the level of road safety, and reducing traffic congestions, where the scheme is expected to serve more than three million beneficiaries. During the inauguration ceremony, which took place in the presence of the Saudi accompanying delegation, Fernando praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s contributions, through SFD, in supporting and developing infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, noting that these schemes constitute a great importance to the lives of many beneficiaries and contribute to improving the social and economic circumstances, commending SFD's efforts in following up the progress in development projects. Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and Al-Marshad laid, in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Abdulnasser Al-Harithi and several Sri Lankan officials, the foundation stone of developing the campus of Wayamba University, funded by SFD with a total cost of USD28 million, where the scheme will contribute to supporting education opportunities for more than 5,000 students each year and increasing the quality of education in a bid to enhancing the economic and social capability for sustainable growth. On the sidelines of the visit, Rajapaksa met with Al-Marshad and the accompanying delegation to discuss development projects implemented by SFD and follow up their work progress, where the Sri Lankan Prime Minister praised the contributions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by SFD, that aim at realizing the targets of sustainable development. --SPA 19:34 LOCAL TIME 16:34 GMT 0026 www.spa.gov.sa/w1671082