Japan assists to reconstruct bridges [November 25 2010]

Japan and Sri Lanka signed a 1.2 billion Japanese Yen (approx. LKR 1.6 billion) grant agreement to reconstruct five bridges in the Eastern Province, today at the Ministry of Finance.

The Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr Kunio Takahashi, Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr Akira Shimura signed the agreement.

Under the grant agreement, four bridges between Padiyathalawa and Eravur on the A5 in Maha Oya and Eravurpattu DS Divisions and the Panichankerny bridge and causeway on the A15 (Trincomalee-Batticaloa Road) will be reconstructed.

Under the post-tsunami and post-conflict reconstruction drive, both the A5 and A15 roads have been widened for two-lane traffic. To gain the benefit of the widening, the bridges which are now traffic bottlenecks have to be reconstructed according to current national standards for two-lane traffic as well.

"We hope this assistance will contribute to improve connectivity within and among the provinces, and will provide better access for residents of the Eastern Province to socio-economic facilities," said Akira Shimura, Chief Representative of JICA – Sri Lanka Office.