"We are determined to continue the efforts until the goal is achieved," President

"The endeavour and commitment of the government is to ensure the victory of the people regardless of any challenge," said President Rajapaksa said today (01).

The President, speaking at the occasion of declaring opening the newly constructed bridge at Arugam Bay, said that the government has initiated massive development programmes while liberating people from the clutches of terrorists and that this development drive cannot be abandoned despite many conspiracies including attacks on journalists.

He was referring to an incident that occured yesterday when a journalist and his friend were attacked in Colombo. The President categorically stated that this was yet another attempt to tarnish the image of the country at a critical time in its history and roll back the victories in the battlefield.

Speaking further President said that despite the difficulties confronted along the way, the Government was determined to continue the efforts until the ultimate goal is achieved.

He said the Arugam Bay bridge was milestone of the Nagenahira Navodaya (Eastern Awakening) development programme and noted that this bridge will bring many benefits to the communities engaged in agriculture, fisheries and other industries.

While expressing gratitude to the US government President Rajapaksa pointed out that unity was essential in order to obtain the support of the international community and called upon everyone to set aside differences and join the common cause of ridding the country of terrorism and developing those areas that had already been liberated from the clutches of terrorists.

The state-of -the-art bridge constructed at a cost of US $ 10 million, will replace the old bridge over Arugam Bay which was severely damaged in the tsunami.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial assistance for the construction of the bridge which has been designed and built using US technology.





Courtesy: Government Information Department

High-tech bridge for Arugam Bay

The Government will open the new Arugam Bay bridge connecting Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Panama in the Eastern province, to the public today (June 30).

The bridge constructed at a cost of US $ 10 million, will replace the old bridge over Arugam Bay which was severely damaged in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided financial assistance for the construction of the new state-of -the-art bridge which has been designed and built according to US technology.

According to the Highways Ministry, the new bridge which runs parallel to the old one, comprises two spans measuring 185 metres, and offers user-friendly features like protected pedestrian walkways. The project launched in August 2006 also includes 900 metres of paved access roadway and a water supply system for Arugam Bay.

"We hope that the project will be a major boost for the fishing, agriculture and tourist industries in the areas and thus help the revival of the economy in the East," a Ministry spokesman said.