According to Sri Lanka's Environment Secretary Prabhath Chandrakeerthy, negotiations for a $5 billion road and rail connectivity project between India and Sri Lanka are nearing completion. The initiative marks the first major bilateral infrastructure project under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's administration aimed at counterbalancing Chinese influence in the region.

Chandrakeerthy said the project would create a link between Rameswaram in India and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. He noted that improved transportation would benefit businesses in both countries and facilitate trade with Europe and beyond.

The concept of a land bridge between Rameswaram and Thalaimannar was initially proposed in 2002, but progress stalled due to opposition from the Tamil Nadu government. Negotiations resumed in 2015, leading to the current plans for the project.

While the total cost is still under negotiation, estimates suggest it could reach approximately $5 billion, and is expected to include bridges and underwater tunnels. Environmental clearance is also expected as part of the project's next steps.