|
|
 |
  |
| Sunday, 19 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Historic Bogoda Bridge built entirely of timber by Chanuka Mannapperuma
Today bridges are built of concrete and steel.Fortunately one can get a chance to see, one of Sri Lanka's oldest wooden bridges "Bogoda bridge" at Bogoda village in Badulla District. To reach the bridge you have to take the turn from Hali Ela and proceed along the Galauda road and turn to the Jangulla juntion.Their one can see the way of Bogoda village. The Bridge belongs to the Dambadeni era in the 16th century, and is over 400 years old.The special feature of this is that it is made entirely out of wood and is full of wood carvings. According to the legend,not was a single steel nail has been used in the construction of the bridge. This bridge is around 50 feet in length and about five feet wide. The water which falls from the Gallanda oya water flows under the bridge.The roof of the bridge is covered with (Sinhala ulu) and two wooden fences decorated in various designs have been erected on either side.One can see the two big wooden poles that bear the entire weight of the bridge. Walk down the bridge and you can get into the adjoining temple-" Bogoda Raja Maha Viharaya." The Bridge was probably constructed during the time of Kandyan Kings for the convenience of the devotees to visit the temple which is on the other side of the bridge. The temple consists of caves believed to be King Walagamba's hide out.According to the legends the temple and bridge also has a long history. ########### Up,up and away travel on SriLankan Airlines Sri Lankan Airlines further enhanced services to their clientele by adding a Travel Loan scheme. "SriLankan Holiday Travel Loan scheme",SriLankan Airlines have tied up with seven leading Banks in the country including Commercial Bank, HNB, HSBC, NSB,Seylan Bank,Sampath Bank and Nations Trust Bank to provide loans for people to travel abroad. Recently theses Banks have signed a MoU with the national carrier to participate in the SriLankan Holiday Travel Loan Scheme. Sri Lankans will be able to enjoy exotic holidays such as visiting Buckingham palace in London, shopping in Bankok,pilgrimages to India,obtaining healthcare in Bangalore or enjoy water sports in the Maldives,paying for their holiday in instalments over a period of three years. SriLankan Holidays is the holiday wing of the national carrier.It promotes outbound package tours for Sri Lankans to visit destinations through the airline's network and support inbound tourism to Sri Lanka. Working with appointed tour operators in each country, it provides a complete package tour for leisure travel,pilgrimages, including hotel-booking,airport pickups,city tours,excursions and of course air travel. Explaining the scheme product, support Manager at Sri Lankan's Sunil Welivitigoda said the under this scheme packages can be tailormade to suit any person's requirements and budgets. "We offer a range of choices starting from business and economy class seating on board,three,four and five star hotel accommodation and guided tours to suit anyone's requirements, he added. Packages range from as low as Rs.15,000 for a three-days,two nights stay in Kochi, Trivandrum, Bangalore,Chennai or Trichy while packages to Thailand or Malaysia for three days and two nights are priced at Rs.25,000. Processing of loans is expected to take between one to three days. (C.M.) |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
