Japanese aid to build bridge connecting Mannar-mainland

COLOMBO: The Japanese Government has provided a grant of Rs. 30 million (Japanese Yen 33 million) for the preparation of the detailed design for the Construction of a New Bridge connecting the Mannar island to the mainland and improvement of its Causeway.

After the completion of the detailed design, it is expected to construct a New Bridge with a span of 157.1 m in length and 10.4 m in width and improve the Causeway up to 3.14 km in length and 11.0 m in width on the Medawachchiya-Mannar-Thalaimannar (A14 Road).

Approximately 40,000 people living in the Manner Island will be directly benefited by this project by improving the market accessibility and facilities transportation at a low cost.

After completion of the detailed design, the Government of Japan is expected to provide further grant assistance for the construction of the New Bridge and Causeway at a total cost of Rs. 1,750 mn. The construction work is expected to be completed in 2009. The Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Highways will implement the project.

The signing of Exchange of Letters pertaining to the above grant took place yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka signed the Exchange of Letters on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning signed on half of the Government of Sri Lanka. R. A. Jayatissa, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Yasuhiro Watanabe, Second Secretary, Economic Co-operation, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also participated at this occasion.