Manmunai Bridge opened marking another milestone in development
The President declares open the Manmunai Bridge. It marks another watershed in the country’s development.
The Manmunai Bridge in Batticaloa was declared open this afternoon under the auspices of President. The bridge connects the Batticaloa and Ampara Districts across the Batticaloa Lagoon. It also connects the Provincial road network on both sides of the lagoon which will provide alternate route to other areas.
The Bridge is 210 metres in length and 9.8 metres wide. It was built at a cost of 1870 million rupees. The Project fulfills a long standing need of the people in the East. Until the construction of new bridge, the people used the ferry service to cross the Batticaloa Lagoon.
The Road Development Authority said that with the construction of the bridge, the transport difficulties hitherto experienced by the people will be overcome. Farmers as well as traders will immensely benefit. In line with the construction of the bridge, a new causeway has been built with an average length of 488 meters.
A JICA official said that the Manmunai Bridge marks the 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan