Kunchikulama Suspension Bridge : En Route to Mannar (මන්නාරම කුංචිකුලම සංගිලි පාලම)

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Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge
Photo by Roshan Christy

Kunchikulama Hanging Bridge, located near the Madu Church turn-off, spans 100 meters across the Malwathu Oya. Known locally as a “Sangili Palama,” this historic suspension bridge offers a thrilling experience. Though partially rotted and replaced by a modern bridge nearby, it remains a picturesque site for adventurous explorers.

Close to the turn-off to the Madu Church lies an old hanging bridge across the Malwathu Oya in the Kunchikulama area. The bridge is over 100 meters long, supported by two strong cables with steel sheets laid across. Such bridges are called Hanging Bridges or Suspension Bridges, and in Sinhala, they are referred to as “Sangili Palama” or “Ellena Palama.“

Location

This attraction can be reached by taking the road to the left 1.5 km before the turn-off to Madu Church when traveling from Medawachchiya. A small billboard just before this road points visitors toward the hanging bridge.

Five Bay flow control granite bridgFive Bay flow control granite bridge over Yodha Ela. e over Yodha Ela.

The new six bay concrete arch bridge over Giants Tank inlet canal built in 2013

Kunchikulam Steel Arch Bridge over Yoda Ela

About 800 meters along this road, you will find an ancient, disused Steel Arch Bridge built across Yoda Ela. Yoda Ela is a 13 km long canal built by King Dhatusena (459–477 CE) to divert water from Malwathu Oya and feed Yoda Wewa.

A new six-bay concrete arch bridge over Yoda Ela was built in 2013. From here, you can get an excellent view of the five-arch flow control granite bridge. As you proceed, you will see the flow control bridge and the Steel Arch Bridge positioned at right angles.

Crossing a small Sapaththu Palama (ford) over the stream that carries excess water back to Malwathu Oya and traveling another 600 meters will bring you to the Hanging Bridge.

Present Condition of the Hanging Bridge

A new concrete bridge and an additional Sapaththu Palama (ford) have been constructed across Malwathu Oya, making the old hanging bridge redundant. The floor is made of steel sheets laid on short wooden beams, some of which have rotted. In certain places, the surface slopes toward the river, so crossing should be done at your own risk.

The Hanging Bridge over Malwathu Oya from the far side.

The new bridge and the Sapattu Palama over Malwathu Oya

Also See

Map of Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge

Route from Medawachchiya to Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge

Through : Mannar Road
Distance :47 km
Travel time : 45 – 60 mins
Time to spend : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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