President launches revival work of match box bridge

The construction work on the ancient Gini Petti Bridge belonging to the D1 Northern Canal of the Parakrama Samudra project in Polonnaruwa was launched under the patronage of President Maithripala Sisirena yesterday.

The match box bridge, built in the beginning of the Govi Janapada (agriculture settlement) programme, was built, to facilitate the water flow from the Northern canal which carries water to thousands of acres of paddy lands. The recent dilapidation of this bridge has caused many difficulties to the paddy farmers in the area.

Due to the recent breakdown of the bridge the farmer community faces numerous hardships and the supply of water to 15,000 acres of paddy fields was blocked.

The estimated cost allocated for this project is Rs. 250 million.

President Sirisena who unveiled the commemoration plaque to

mark the commencement of construction, engaged in an observation tour around the place.

President Sirisena was briefed by Director of Irrigation of the Polonnaruwa region S.K. Hewagama about the construction plans of the bridge.

The alternative bridge which was constructed in parallel to the Gini Petti Bridge under the Pibidemu Polonnaruwa programme was officially opened by the President today (7).

President Sirisena engaged

in a friendly conversation with the people who were gathered in this event.

State Minister Palitha Range Bandara, Ministry Secretary N.A. Sisira Kumara, Director General of Irrigation S. Mohan Raja, District Secretary P.S.P. Abeywardhana, Mayor Sidath Chanaka Abeysighe, Former Chief Minister of North Central Province Peshala Jayarathne, and others were present in this event.