Govt says no discussions with India over building sea bridge

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

Government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne told Xinhua that despite media reports stating that Sri Lanka and India were in discussions over the connectivity bridge, there had been no talks held between the two countries. "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 that Sri Lanka was also interested in the project to build a bridge connecting the twp countries and discussions have been held on the issue.

Even the Asian Development Bank had made a recommendation regarding the project, the Indian minister had said. "The project is under consideration, it is under discussion. But nothing has been finalized," the minister was quoted by media reports as saying.

The proposed bridge will link a 22-km stretch between Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka's north and Dhanushkodi, in India's south and will cost 5.19 billion U.S. dollars. (Xinhua)