Bridges bring people together

by Siripathy Jayamaha

A bridge links a gap. The dictionary gives a number of meanings to the term. Let us speak of the former. Whenever we want to get across a narrow open space we place one foot on one side and the other on the otherside. Our limbs form a bridge. At times we use our hands to ferry articles across, while standing with our legs on either side. Here, man becomes a bridge.

In ancient times, man and animals got across ravines and small streams by using arched branches of trees. Tarzan of Edgar Rice Burroughs needed no permanent bridge. Large creepers got him across crocodile infested rivers. The Veddahs too used this method.

A bridge reduces distance. The edanda is a risky bridge. Many arched bridges take our Udarata Menike across many valleys, rivers and ridges. There are bridges across the Kelani river. Kalu Ganga and Nilwala. The romantic Manampitiya bridge which used to take motorists and railway travellers on the same bridge with their paths controlled by gates, across the Mahaweli River. Has it occurred to you that the city of Colombo is an island.

From whatever direction one enters Colombo, motorists and rail users have to cross either a canal or a river. Bridges across the Kelani river, across canals at Wellawatte, Wellampitiya, Pamankade and Kirillapone link the commerical capital with the mainland. These angels of steel, make Colombo to be like Manhattan in the U.S.A. and Lagos in Nugeria. Without these links, the city of Colombo and the harbour would be on an island.

Fascinating

Bridges have fascinated mankind. The Firth of Forth takes the 'Flying Scotsman' from London to Edinburgh, the semicircularly arched beauty of Australia.

The Sydney Harbour bridge. San Francisco bridge in California, the stupendous Howrah Bridge in West Bengal and the long bridge that links North Korea and China are absolute feats of engineering.

Of course, we cannot forget the very long bridge which took the then Indo Ceylon Express and many other trains from Rameshwaran to Dhanuskodi from where the proud 'Madras Maru' and Irwin Madras carried passengers and goods to Talaimannar and into the arms of the 'Talaimannar Fort' night mail that took off from the Talaimannar Pier, across many a bridge starting with the bridge at the Mannar causeway, Deduru Oya and Maha Oya at Alawwa. This romantic journey came to an end when the Pamban Bridge was destroyed in the 1978 cyclone. Passengers in the Indo Ceylon Express were given a glimpse of a row of large rocks between Ceylon and India - Adam's Bridge. Also there is a bridge supposed to have been made by Hanuman.

Fairytale bridge

Bridges bring us memories of a fairytale bridge built across the Kelani River at Kitulgala in the mid 1950's. A replica of a bridge in Burma was constructed for Sam Spiegel's and David Lean's 10 academy award film The Bridge on the River Kwai'.

A bridge is a vital component in the progress of a nation. It links cities and villages.

A breath-taking 18 curve drive from Kandy to the city of Mahiyangana can be taken across a bridge. Bridges are bonds.

They link many a space with their awe inspiring, fabulous structures that are the brainchild of man. These steel giants have united amidst diverse customs, races, tribes and cultures.

There have been instances where bridges have been barricaded or blown up due to the hidden agendas of human beings.

A bridge can also help heal an ailing human race. Bridges make empathy, understanding and a sense of togetherness.