Speaking at the opening ceremony Minister of Highways and Road Development Jeyaraj Fenandupulle said that this is another significant achievement of the development programme in the East (Negenahira Reawakening) initiated by the Government."

The foundation stone to construct this bridge was laid when President Mahinda Rajapaksa was serving as the Prime Minister of the country two years ago. The Bridge 302 m. in length, 10.4 meters wide is located at the 81st kilometer of Maradankadawala, Habarana-Thrikkundiyadimadu road in the Pollonnaruwa district.

This has been built at a cost of Rs.1.3 billion. With help from the Japan international co-operation agency, on the request of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who was earlier the Mahaveli Minister.

This is an important bridge on the Pollonnaruwa -Batticoloa main Road which is one of few main entrances to the eastern province. This would reduce the congestion exciting now when the old bridge is used both as a railway and highway crossing. Minister who appreciated the assistance given by the Japanese construction engineers to complete the bridge with in the due period said that this would be a positive initiation for the local engineers engaged in the field of construction.

The previous bridge which is 80 years old was used for both train and road transportation systems.

This is a gift to Sri Lanka by Japanese Government on the request of Minister Mithreepala Sirisena to strengthen the bond between Japan and Sri Lanka.