Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Road construction delays blamed on asphalt shortage amid Middle East tensions
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has attributed delays in several road development projects across Sri Lanka to supply chain disruptions affecting asphalt imports. The shortage has been linked to ongoing instability in the Middle East region.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
President Dissanayake disclosed that multiple road construction initiatives have experienced setbacks due to challenges in procuring adequate supplies of bituminous materials required for surfacing works. The delays reflect broader supply chain complications stemming from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which has disrupted global trade routes and commodity availability.
The asphalt shortage represents one of several infrastructure challenges facing Sri Lanka's development agenda as the newly-elected administration works to advance capital projects nationwide. Road construction and maintenance form a critical component of the government's infrastructure priorities.
The disclosure underscores the vulnerability of Sri Lanka's import-dependent economy to external shocks and regional instability. Officials have not announced alternative sourcing arrangements or revised project timelines as of the latest available information.
The President's statement comes as Sri Lanka continues efforts to stabilize its economy following the financial crisis of 2022. Infrastructure development remains central to the government's economic recovery strategy, making supply chain resilience an increasingly pressing concern for policymakers.