Rs. 30 million Kiraloya bridge opened in Puttalam district

COLOMBO: Deputy Minister of Nation Building and Development D.M. Dasanayaka, formally opened this bridge over the Kiraloya of Kottukachchi in the Anamaduwa electorate.

The number of families in Kottukachchi are approximately 3000. The health facilities of the area is undertaken by the Rural Hospital in Kottukachchi.

The people of the area faced with great obstacles and hardships before the opening of this bridge. In the past there was only a log over this Oya. Two pregnant women, whilst crossing lost their children. There were about 8-10 accidents that took place when crossing over this Oya.

The people of this area had complained about this to different politicians and various parties and no solutions were found.

Acting on the proposal by D.M. Dasanayake, Deputy Minister of nation Building and Development to the Rehabilitation of the Bridges in the North and East Project (RBNE) of the Ministry this bridge was constructed and completed successfully. In January this year the work of the new bridge commenced by the replacement of the old bridge. The construction was completed in May 31, 2006.

This construction work process was supervised by the British government and was built on a Loan Agreement from HSBC UK.

The length of this bridge is 27 meters (81ft) and the width is 7.35 meters (22ft). The guarantee period of it is about 100 years and was built by using British Stainless Steel. The beneficiaries of this bridge are about 4500-5000 families consisting of the all villagers of the area.

Deputy Minister D.M. Dasanayaka stated that another similar bridge for Thabbowa area is in progress with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 50 million.

This bridge is to be completed by August 2006.

Secretary to the Ministry M.S. Jayasinghe, Ms. V. Nallathamby, Project Director of Bridges Project together with the residents of the area participated with the Deputy Minister D.M. Dasanayaka.