Japanese assistance to construct bridges in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province

The Japanese government has granted approximately 1.5 billion rupees (1.217 billion Japanese Yen) to Sri Lanka for the construction of 5 bridges in the Eastern Province, a press release from Japanese Embassy in Colombo said.

Senior Representative of the implementing agency JICA Takuya Otsuka in the presence of Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi and Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. P.B. Jayasundara signed the Exchange of Notes on the grant today at the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The grant will contribute to the ongoing reconstruction of the infrastructure in Eastern Province damaged or destroyed during the civil war thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of the people living in the province.

The grant will assist the reconstruction of the Panichchankeni Causeway, bridge on A 15 (Batticaloa-Trincomalee) road and 4 other bridges such as 240/4 bridge, Mundeni River bridge, Pulavady bridge and 287/7 bridge on the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkalady road.

The bridges, constructed during the colonial period are in poor shape due to the lack of any proper maintenance during the years of conflict situation in the Province.

Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Highways and Road Development will implement the project.