The long-delayed construction work of the Kinniya-Kurinjakeni bridge has finally resumed under a revised agreement facilitated by Saudi financial assistance. The signing of this revised agreement took place between Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Financial Planning and Economic Affairs, and Abdul Mohsen Al-Muthlah, Director of the Saudi Development Fund.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Affairs, the bridge will provide significant benefits to approximately 100,000 people in the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat Division by improving travel and business opportunities.
The project, which originally received Rs. 226.7 million in funding in 2021, faced significant delays despite continuous public protests urging its completion. The bridge, built in 1977, has been deteriorating over the years, and its collapse led to a tragic incident on November 21, 2021, claiming the lives of eight people, including five children.
In a renewed effort, the Government of Sri Lanka has allocated USD 10.5 million to restart the project, utilizing the remaining funds from the Peradeniya-Badulla Chengaladi Road Development Project. The revised agreement aims to transfer these funds into the Road Network Development Project, focusing on the completion of the Kinniya-Kurinjakeni bridge.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the construction of the bridge will address long-standing transportation difficulties and significantly enhance the connectivity and economic potential of the region.
This initiative marks a critical step towards improving infrastructure in Kinniya, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for the local community.
