Road development projects hit by bitumen shortage

Officials of the Road Development Authority (RDA) have informed the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) that a number of road construction projects have been suspended due to a shortage of bitumen.

The issue was raised during a recent meeting of the Committee held in Parliament.

RDA officials said that only one shipment of bitumen had been imported between the end of February 2026, when the Middle East conflict began, and this month.

They noted that the shipment was secured during a brief ceasefire.

According to the officials, bitumen imported from Iran is the only type considered suitable for Sri Lanka’s climatic conditions.

They added that the ongoing situation in the Middle East has created major difficulties in securing further supplies.

The officials also informed the Committee that 549 road sections were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and that Rs. 64.3 billion has been allocated for their rehabilitation.

However, they warned that the shortage of bitumen has brought many road development activities to a standstill.

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