Japan gives Rs 1,650 m for bridge reconstruction

The Japanese Government has provided a grant of Japanese Yen 1,217 million (Rs 1,650 million) to reconstruct five bridges in the Eastern Province.

The infrastructure facilities, including the road network in the Eastern Province had not been adequately developed for the last 30 years due to the terrorist activities. After liberating the entire Eastern Province, the Government has accelerated the development activities in the Eastern Province under the Negenehira Nawodaya.

Under the proposed project, Panichchankeni Causeway and Bridge on A15 (Batticaloa - Trincomalee) road and four bridges (240/4 bridge, Mundeni River bridge, Pulavady bridge and 287/7 bridge) on A5 (Peradeniya - Badulla - Chenkalady) road will be reconstructed. The existing bridges were constructed in the colonial period and are 50 to 100 years old and therefore need to be replaced.

The detailed designs of the bridges have been completed under a grant of Japanese Yen 29 million provided by the Japanese Government in January 2010.

The project will be implemented by the Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ports and Highways Ministry. The project will be administered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on behalf of the Japanese Government.

The signing of exchange of Letters pertaining to the Grant took place on November 25 at the Finance and Planning Ministry. Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi signed the Exchange of Letters on behalf of Japan while Finance and Planning Secretary Dr P B Jayasundera signed on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government. A Grant Agreement was also signed by Dr Jayasundera and JICA Sri Lanka Office Senior Representative Takuya Otsuka on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and JICA. External Resources Department Director General J H J Jayamaha was also present.