Manmunai Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Manmunai Bridge
Native Name:மண்முனைப் பாலம்
Native Name Lang:ta
Carries:Motor vehicles
Crosses:Batticaloa Lagoon
Locale:Batticaloa, Batticaloa District
Owner:Ministry of Ports & Highways
Maint:Road Development Authority
Material:Cement
Length:2100NaN0[1]
Width:9.80NaN0
Begin:2012
Complete:2014
Cost:Rs. 1,736 million[2]

Manmunai Bridge (Tamil: மண்முனைப் பாலம்) is a road bridge in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. It crosses the Batticaloa Lagoon and connects Western and Eastern shore of the Batticaloa lagoon.

The bridge became the first east–west land connection between Batticaloa coastal belt and mainland. It reduced previous 30 km road access from other side and gives alternative road access to and from Batticaloa town to other areas of west bank of Batticaloa and Ampara District. Earlier, transport between the west and east banks was carried out by a small ferry through Batticaloa Lagoon.[3]

Japan International Cooperation Agency granted 1,206 million Japanese Yen to Sri Lankan government to construct the bridge along with causeway as mark of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manmunai Bridge opened marking another milestone in development . . 20 April 2014.
  2. Web site: Rs. 1,736 million grant from Japan for Construction of Manmunai Bridge across the Batticaloa Lagoon . Ministry of Finance & Planning- The Treasury of Sri Lanka . 20 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050454/http://www.treasury.gov.lk/news-and-events/166-rs-1736-million-grant-from-japan-for-construction-of-manmunai-bridge-across-the-batticaloa-lagoon.html . 21 April 2014 . dead .
  3. Web site: Manmunai Bridge construction begins with Japanese help . Daily News (Sri Lanka) . 20 April 2014.
  4. Web site: President to open Manmunai bridge in Batticaloa tomorrow . Daily News (Sri Lanka) . 20 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050548/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local%2Fpresident-open-manmunai-bridge-batticaloa-tomorrow . 21 April 2014 . dead .
  5. Web site: President opens Manmunai Bridge in Batticaloa . News.lk . 20 April 2014.