Sri Lanka's Longest Bridge in Arippu, Wanni

18th October 2009, www.news.lk

Chief Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa said the proposed bridge at Arippu would be the longest bridge in the liberated areas of the Wanni. The bridge costing Rs.400 million will be 240 metres-in length and 7.35mtrs in width.

The LTTE blasted the temporary bridge at Arippu to prevent the security forces from entering the area during military operations in 1990 and 1991. The area was strategically important to the LTTE for smuggling arms and ammunition across the lagoon.

He pointed out that after resettlement of the displaced, the bridge would provide easy access to Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinocchi, Mullaithivu and Jaffna as well as to accelerate the development in the Northern Province.