Residents call for attention of Archaeological Dept.

Bentota old bridge and tourist destination

People in the Southern Province and those engaging in tourism expressed concerned about the sad state of the Bentota old Bridge on the Galle Colombo main highway that dates back to 1902. They pointed out that the old bridge should be conserved as a heritage monument of the British rule that opened up a vast new field in transport, trade and commerce in the country by linking the south with other parts of the country. Residents of the area said that the bridge was now covered with the shrub jungle and left to decay. Meanwhile managers of several tourist hotels said that tourists took a keen interest to walk along the old bridge and watch it.

They pointed out that the old road and the bridge could be developed as a tourist attraction with marketing stalls and curio shops.

Residents of the area particularly the elders said that the Bentota old bridge constructed by the British more than 115 years ago should be conserved for austerity as a monument of the British rule in Sri Lanka.

They said Bentota had been a tourist destination since the Dutch period and that it was sad that the old government rest house overlooking the sea and a vast area of the river and villages beyond, which was just another monument of the Dutch period had been demolished when the present tourist village was built. They requested the archaeological department to pay attention on the old Bentota Bridge and take steps to conserve it.