Daha ata wanguwa opened

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the renovated, ancient 18 bend (daha ata wanguwa) road on the Kandy - Mahiyangana road on Monday. The renovation work cost Rs 5,000 million. The President before opening the road, drove his vehicle the entire length of the dahata wanguwa.

The re-construction work of the road was carried out at an estimated cost of five billion rupees granted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The 41 km long road was widened to 15 metres and carpeted from Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya.

The entire stretch of the road includes 10 bridges and 320 box culverts with 37 widened culverts. Renovation work on the 18 bend road which commenced in April 2008 completed the construction in less than four years providing motorists a safer and a comfortable journey reducing travel time from four to one and a half hours. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotalawela, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, MPs Lohan Ratwatte, Earl Gunasekera, Shantha Bandara, ADB Country Director Rita O Sullivan, government officials and a large gathering were present.

Pictures by Sudath Silva