Rs. 1.6 b grant from Japan to rebuild 5 bridges in East

The Government of Japan has provided a grant of Japanese Yen 1,217 million (approximately Rs. 1,650 million) for reconstruction of 5 bridges in the Eastern Province.

The infrastructure facilities, including the road network in the Eastern Province had not been adequately developed for the last 30 years due to the terrorist activities in the area. After liberating the entire Eastern Province, the Government has accelerated the development activities in the Eastern Province under the “Negenehira Navodaya” which emphasises the necessity of efficient road network in the area.

Under the proposed project, Panichchankeni Causeway and Bridge on A15 (Baticaloa-Trincomalee) road and 4 bridges (240/4 bridge, Mundeni River bridge, Pulavady bridge and 287/7 bridge) on A5 (Peradeniya-Badulla- Chenkalady) road will be reconstructed. The existing bridges were constructed in the colonial period and are 50 to 100 years old and therefore need to be replaced.

The detailed designs of the above bridges have already been completed under a grant of Japanese Yen 29 million provided by the Government of Japan in January 2010.  

The project will be implemented by the Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Ports and Highways.  The project will be administered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on behalf of the Government of Japan.

The signing of Exchange of Letters pertaining to the Grant took place yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning.  Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka signed the Exchange of Letters on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. P B Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.  A Grant Agreement was also signed by Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning and Takuya Otsuka, Senior Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and JICA respectively.  J.H.J. Jayamaha, Director General, Department of External Resources also participated at this occasion.