The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is discussing with the government to provide funds for construction of the proposed Kandy-Colombo or Northern Expressway.

ADB president Takehiko Nakao who is in Sri Lanka revealed this while responding to a question during a media briefing in Colombo.

He said the ADB was holding discussions with the government to provide funds for this project and further details cannot be provided right now.

The ADB president met President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (18 June) and also visited the Colombo harbor for inspection.

He expressed satisfaction over the construction of the harbor and said Sri Lanka which is located at a maritime hub has gained a great opportunity to enhance its trade.

During his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa he had expressed views on Sri Lanka’s strong economic growth and stated that the island could maintain an economic growth of around 7.5 percent this year and the next as a country which has gained the most growth rate in the region.

The speed of the economic growth in the earlier war-torn north and east is double that of the other provinces in the island, he pointed out.