Archives

Dilapidated bridge repairing programme in Sabaragamuwa

by Ratnapura group correspondent

The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council will launch a programme to reconstruct dilapidated wire bridges in the three korales in Deraniyagala, Southern Provincial Council Rural Development Minister U. G. Padmasiri said.

Revealing the background to the development programme, Padmasiri told the Daily News that the first bridge to be reconstructed was the Malimboda century-old wire bridge in the Deraniyagala electorate at a cost of Rs. 11 lakhs.

Hundreds of people in the three korales have been forced to use these bridges even after a half a century of independence, even though they are in dilapidated conditions, he said.

Nakkawita, Malimboda, Urawanawa and Deegala Ruksala, four of the wire-bridges in close proximity in Deraniyagala are in a poor condition. Most of them constructed in the early 19th century are crumblngi, Padmasiri said. The new wire-bridges have been designed to last another 100 years, he said.

The reconstruction of those bridges have brought relief to villagers in Deraniyagala electorate, a spokesman for the Rural Development Ministry said.

Some of the bridges constructed by the colonial masters mainly to serve the plantation interest could be described as wonderful feats of engineering. Sitawaka wire-bridge over Sitawaka river is a good example. The bridge constructed in 1940 is 200 feet in length, and opened for vehicular traffic, facilitating the movement of vehicles is a marvellous achievement the spokesman added.

The reconstruction under way to repair the bridges will ensure safe travel for the poor, Padmasiri said.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager