Despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s increased interest in the notion and references to it during bilateral meetings, Sri Lanka recently declined to proceed with a land connectivity project with India. The idea, which dates back to 2002, calls for a road and rail bridge to span the Palk Strait and unite the two nations, but it has been met with resistance and delays time and time again.
Sri Lanka made it clear that it was not prepared for such a project at this time and that it was not practicable during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December 2024.
Consequently, the land bridge project was not included in the most recent joint statement between the two nations, and the subject was left off the official agenda during the Indian Prime Minister’s subsequent visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025.
The project’s viability had been debated and even started by previous Sri Lankan governments, including Ranil Wickremesinghe’s, but little real progress had been made.
Local Opposition and National Security: The possibility of rising migration and security threats, especially from Tamil Nadu, are causes for concern in Sri Lanka. The project has previously been stalled by historical worries about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and anxieties about demographic shifts held by Sinhala nationalists.
Economic and Environmental Considerations: Major infrastructure projects, such as land bridges, necessitate a thorough evaluation of the effects on the environment and actual local needs. If such a project is not firmly rooted in local circumstances, there are concerns that it may turn into a “vanity project.”
Ongoing Review: Prior to making any promises, the new Sri Lankan government is presently examining all significant connection initiatives with India, including the proposed land bridge and energy projects.
The strategic and financial advantages of land connectivity outweigh the resistance:
A land bridge might save transportation costs, increase exports and tourism, and provide Sri Lanka with direct access to India’s sizable market. As part of its plan to offset China’s expanding influence in Sri Lanka and the wider region, India is interested in the project.
According to reports, the project’s feasibility assessment was nearing completion during the previous administration, but no formal decision to move forward has been made.
Sri Lanka is currently prioritising alternative forms of connectivity, like energy grids and petroleum pipelines, and has put the land connectivity project on hold.
