Bridge construction begins in East

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Food Security Minister P Dayaratna opening bridge construction in the Eastern Province. Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nobuhit Hobo and JICA Chief representative Akira Shimora are also in the picture.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa launched the reconstruction work of three bridges in the Eastern Province on Tuesday. Bridges between Padiyathalawa and Eravur on the A5 in Maha Oya and Eravurpattu DS Divisions, and Panichankerny bridge and causeway on the A15 (Trincomalee-Batticaloa Road) will be reconstructed under Rs 1.7 billion Japanese grant.

The A5 is the primary road linking the Central and Uva Provinces to the Eastern Province, while the A15 interconnects the three districts of the Eastern Province - Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. The existing bridges which have been constructed some 60 years ago are in a dilapidated state since maintenance and repairs could not be carried out during decades of conflict. Within the post-tsunami and post-conflict reconstruction drive, both the A5 and A15 roads have been widened for two-lane traffic.

The project is implemented by the Road Development Authority in cooperation with JICA. JICA's on-going assistance to the Eastern Province includes reconstruction of 315km of rural roads, development of rural water supply systems, and rectification of flood damaged roads and irrigation infrastructure through Official Development Assistance loans, and construction of a new bridge in Manmunai through grant assistance.