Manampitiya Bridge, Polonnaruwa

Manampitiya Bridge, Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa Overview

Manampitiya Bridge is the second longest bridge in Sri Lanka. Before the Kinniya Bridge was declared open in 2009, it was the longest bridge in Sri Lanka. The bridge has a length of 302 metres. It comprises two decks, an early-twentieth-century steel bridge and newly built bridge.

The older bridge is used for railway purposes, and the new one carries two lanes of the highway. The steel bridge is 291 metres long and less than 5 metres in width. The most significant feature of this bridge is the railway track running right on the centre of the road. The bridge is operated by the Sri Lankan Army, and two Army checkpoints on both sides control both rail and motor vehicle traffic.

The bridge is the only access point between Eastern Province and Central Province for about 80 kilometres of the Mahaweli river. The Mahaweli River is a 335-kilometre long river, ranking as the longest river in Sri Lanka. Its drainage basin is the largest in the country and covers almost one-fifth of the total area of the island.

History of Manampitiya Bridge

The steel bridge was built in 1922, during the colonial rule. The new bridge in Manampitiya was built with the financial assistance of Japan, hence the name Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Peace Bridge. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided LKR 1.3 billion on behalf of the Japanese government to help with the construction of the bridge. This bridge was declared open on 25 October 2007 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The new 50 Sri Lankan Rupee note depicts the Manampitiya Bridge. Manampitiya Bridge is a very narrow bridge, and it has not been able to reduce the traffic from the streets efficiently.

The bridge is impassable for large vehicles such as construction machinery and container cars, because of narrow width, unstable structure, and decreased load-carrying capacity through corrosion of steels, etc. Facing this situation, the Road Development Authority, which is the competent authority of management and maintenance work for highways of Sri Lanka, is proceeding with the rehabilitation of such bridges sequentially, beginning with those requiring renewal urgently.

Tips while Visiting Manampitiya Bridge

Tourists should check the climatic conditions of the area before visiting. During heavy rain, the water level of the river below rises and can flood the bridge. The bridge can get very crowded as it is very narrow. There is not enough place for two vehicles to pass together, so it often takes a lot of time to cross the bridge. The bridge has two lanes, and tourists are requested to stay on the highway lane only as the other lane is strictly for railway use.

How To Reach Manampitiya Bridge, Polonnaruwa

Manampitiya Bridge is located 81 kilometres east of Maradankadawala, along the A11 Habarana-Thirikondiyadimadu road in Polonnaruwa District, linking North Central Province with Eastern Province over Mahaweli River. From Colombo, the place is about 230 kilometres, or a 5-hour drive away. From Batticaloa, the nearest airport, the site is about 85 kilometres, or a 2-hour drive away.