History of Bridges of Sri Lanka

Bridge over the Kirindi Oya at the park entrance - Lunugamvehera National Park — Bridge over the Kirindi Oya
photo licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 by Nade Gura

Bridges are something we take for granted today. Every time you step onto the road, we travel over them without even realizing it, and bridges have probably existed since the birth of man.

The most basic form of a bridge is the “Edanda,” a log laid across a waterway. Most of the time it’s one or two coconut tree trunks laid across a stream. Some may have a makeshift hand railing, but most will not. Therefore, you need a certain level of balance to cross an Edanda with a leap of faith to take the first step, giving rise to the proverb “Pandithayata Edande Yanna Barilu”—A pundit cannot cross an Edanda.

Ancient Stone Bridges of Sri Lanka

The earliest bridges found in Sri Lanka other than the Edanda are stone bridges. There are at least 14 known stone bridges in Sri Lanka. Most of these stone bridges are believed to have been built between the 5th and 9th centuries.

The first and the most well-known stone bridge is the Gal Palama in Anuradhapura. This bridge has been partially restored by the Department of Archaeology.

There is another smaller hidden bridge about 100 meters before this bridge over Halpan Ela, a stream running parallel to the Malwathu Oya. This bridge too has been partially restored by the Department of Archaeology.

The third stone bridge and the most complete is the stone bridge at Mahakanadarawa Reservoir close to Mihinthale.

The fourth bridge has probably been seen by most but not noticed. This bridge lies at Tiriyaya at the beginning of the footpath to the Girihandu Seya from the current car park. The stream of water that ran under the water is long gone, leaving the ruins of the bridge on a flat land.

All the above 4 stone bridges are believed to be on the ancient pilgrim route from Anuradhapura to Tiriyaya Monastery.

The ancient "Gal Palama" (Stone Bridge) which lead ancient pilgrims to the Girihandu Seya of Thiriyaya. — The ancient “Gal Palama” (Stone Bridge) which lead ancient pilgrims to the Girihandu Seya of Thiriyaya.

The fifth bridge is hidden from the public in a jungle area in the eastern province in Kayankerni between Oddamadavi and Vakare. Only the stone pillars remain of the bridge, with the rock slabs probably having fallen into the water. Being in a remote location ravaged by war for 20 years, no attempt has been made to restore this bridge so far.

Remains of the ancient Kayyankerni stone bridge
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

In total, there have been stone bridges at the following locations. Click on the link to learn more about these bridges.

Ancient Ambalama Bridges

During the era of the Kandyan kingdom, we find some wooden bridges that doubled as Ambalama (wayside rests) for the weary traveler. The best example of this type of wooden bridge can be seen at Bogoda Bridge at Bogoda Raja Maha Viharaya, which lies between Badulla and Bandarawela.

Bogoda Bridge at Bogoda Raja Maha Viharaya — Bogoda Bridge

Another such small bridge can be found at the Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Viharaya in Gampaha. This is believed to have been built in the 18th century.

Small wooden bridge at the Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Viharaya in Gampaha
Image source : srilankatravelnotes.com

Picturesque Suspension Bridges (Sangili Palama)

Another type of interesting bridge is called Wal Palama or Sangili Palama, a suspending footbridge. They are made of steel cables with wooden planks laid across, barely wide enough for a person. These bridges probably were used from ancient times to cross rivers and were made out of ropes or natural creepers.

Walking over an old suspension footbridge is an experience of its own, with the stretching cables creaking and bouncing up and down and swinging sideways with every step.

There are many Sangili Palama bridges all over the country built since the colonial days. Some of them are listed below:

The most well-known suspension footbridge across the mighty Mahaweli Ganga (River) connects the Peradeniya Botanical Garden and the Gannoruwa School of Agriculture. Two pairs of 9.5-meter-high steel pillars hold the steel cables of the 127-meter-long bridge. It was built in 1931, during the British rule of then Ceylon.

Peradeniya Suspension Bridge (Sangili Palama)
Photograph by Rilwan Saeed

There is another tourist attraction close to the turnoff to the Madu Church, where the old hanging bridge lies across Malwathu Oya in the area of Kunchikulama. The bridge built during the colonial era is over 100 meters long and lies in a remote and picturesque area off the main road.

Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge
Photo by Roshan Christy

But the longest suspension foot bridge lies across Kelani River at Ruwanwella. Built in 2007, this footbridge connects the Ruwanwella town with villages such as Nikawalamulla and Kurupaththa. The bridge is 550 feet (170 meters) long and lies about 40 meters above the river where the Gurugoda Oya meets the Kelani Ganga River.

Some of the other suspension footbridges are

Kosgulana Sangili Palama
Lankagama Sangili Palama
Nakkawita Sangili Palama
Paradeniya Sangili Palama
Kothmale Oruthotawella Sangili Palama.

Nakkawita Sangili Palama (Suspension foot bridge)

Lankagama Sangili Palama (Suspension Bridge)

Unique Road-Rail Bridges

Another very interesting type of bridge is the Road Rail Bridge, where the same bridge is used for motor traffic as well as for trains. There are only two such bridges in Sri Lanka. The oldest being the Manampitiya Road Rail Bridge. Built in 1922, this bridge spans 296 meters across the Mahaweli River. The bridge is the only access point between Eastern Province and Central Province for about 80 km of the river. This bridge served the motorists and the railway for over 85 years, and in 2007, a new bridge was constructed in parallel for motor traffic.

The Road-Rail Bridge of Manampitiya seen from the middle of the bridge. This photo was taken in 2003

The second Road Rail Bridge lies in Valaichchena, which was constructed in 1924, just 2 years after the Manampitiya Bridge. This bridge was is across the Batticaloa Lagoon allowing both trains and vehicle traffic. This bridge is wider than the Manampitiya Bridge and was just wide enough for two vehicles to pass. This bridge too was closed for motor traffic in 2010 after a new bridge was constructed parallel to the Road Rail Bridge.

Valaichena (Oddamavadi) Road-Rail Bridge

Popular Colonial Brick Bridges

There are two known large brick bridges in Sri Lanka. The first one lies over Nanu Oya in Pilimathalawa. Built in 1926, this arch bridge consists of 3 eight-meter arches with a total length of 28 meters. This bridge is currently not being used. This bridge lies close to the Open Highway Museum by the road.

Pilimthalawa Brick Arch Bridge, built in 1926
Photo by Sunimal Dissanayake

The other Brick Arch Bridge lies in Mawanella, also on the Kandy road. This bridge, built during the 1832–33 period, was built by Captain Brown. This bridge is still being used for vehicle traffic and is considered the oldest bridge being used in Sri Lanka. The bridge is built over Ma Oya with 4 arches.

Mawanella Brick Arc Bridge, built in 1926
Photo By : Siraj Zubair

Other Special Bridges Tourists Are Drawn To

The Nine Arch Bridge, built between the railway stations of Ella and Demodara, is arguably the most famous bridge in Sri Lanka and a must-visit spot for tourists, with many considering a selfie here essential.

Locally known as the Nine Skies Bridge, it stands nearly 945 meters above sea level and rises 30.4 meters in height. Remarkably, it was constructed entirely from solid rock, bricks, and cement, without the use of any steel, and was completed in 1921.

Over the past decade, this striking structure has become one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, drawing countless visitors to the Ella region.

Demodara Nine Arch Bridge locally known as Ahas Namaye Palama ( Nine Skies Bridge / Sky Bridge)
Photo by Zoltán Márton

Then there is the mysterious Halaba Bridge between Badulla and Bandarawela. This spectacular 372 feet long steel bridge lies across Uma Oya at Halaba, where no roads exist or ever existed. Why the English, who ruled the country, poured so much money and effort into building such a massive bridge in nowhere is a puzzle still not solved.

One belief is that the bridge was destined to be installed at Halawatha (Chillaw), but due to some communication mistake, it was installed at Halaba.

This bridge is such a mystery; the government recently carried out some restorations of this bridge to nowhere.

The Mysterious Halaba Steel Bridge in Hali-Ela
Photo courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

In addition, there are a number of other bridges that have attracted tourists for their uniqueness.

And then there is the Fools Bridge in Ulapane, so called because it looks as if the bridge is built upside down. Also known as the Upside Down Bridge, this is not being used today.

Kinniya Bridge is the longest bridge in Sri Lanka, with a length of 396 meters (1,299 ft). It crosses the lagoon area surrounded by Koddiyar Bay and Tambalagam Bay. It links Trincomalee with Kinniya, enabling civilians to cross the Kinniya lagoon to reach the A15 highway. The bridge was completed and declared open on 20 October 2009 after the defeat of the LTTE terrorists who had destroyed most of the infrastructure in the region during the previous 30 years.