Thondamannar Bridge

Coordinates: 9°49′0″N 80°10′0″E / 9.81667°N 80.16667°E / 9.81667; 80.16667
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Thondamannar Bridge

தொண்டைமானாறு பாலம்
Coordinates9°49′0″N 80°10′0″E / 9.81667°N 80.16667°E / 9.81667; 80.16667
CarriesMotor vehicles and pedestrians on the AB21 Highway in Northern Province, Sri Lanka
CrossesVadamarachchi Lagoon
LocaleValvettithurai, Jaffna District
Maintained byRoad Development Authority
History
Construction start1947
Construction end1953
Location
Map

Thondamannar Bridge(Tamilதொண்டைமானாறு பாலம், Thondamanaru Palam) is a road and pedestrian bridge on the Jaffna - Point Pedro highway across the Vadamarachchi Lagoon near the Valvettithurai town of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1953[1] and destroyed in 1987, and rebuilt afterwards in 2004.

The Thondamannar Bridge was primarily used as a barrage since the beginning of its construction period to prevent sea water entering the Vadamarachchi Lagoon that serves as a primary water source for several villages in the neighborhood.

The Barrage was destroyed in 1987 when it came under fire from the Sri Lankan Army.[2]

The sluice gates before its destruction played a dual role not only preventing seawater entering into the villages but also allowing the floodwater flowing from the land-side into the sea during rainy season.[2]

The bridge along with the barrage was rebuilt by the Department of Irrigation in 2004 and now serves the Jaffna - Point Pedro highway, a key link in the Jaffna District and the Northern Province.[2][3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "A river for Jaffna – the Arumugam Plan". Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  2. ^ a b c "Thondamannar sluice gate to be reconstructed". Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  3. ^ "A River for Jaffna". Retrieved 2013-06-19.