Destroyed major bridges in Jaffna to be renovated

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 August 2004, 15:27 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army's Jaffna area commander Major General Sunil Tennekon at a conference held at the Jaffna district secretariat on Monday assured the civil authorities that the SLA would extend its support to renovate major bridges in Jaffna district. These bridges were destroyed in the war, civil sources said.

Jaffna District Deputy Director of Planning Mr.P.Suntharampillai presided. Jaffna Government Agent Mr.S.Pathmanathan and several Road Development Authority officials attended the conference.

The conference was summoned to discuss about the renovation of major bridges, which included Vallai Bridge on Jaffna-Point Pedro road, Kaithady Bridge on Kopay-Kaithady road and Chemmani Bridge in Jaffna town, sources said. Major General Sunil Tennekon further said the SLA would relocate its forward defense lines and checkpoints from the area enabling renovation work in areas these major are located and also it would take immediate steps to de-mine such areas, sources said.

Several army officers also participated in the conference.

Civil society leaders have been insisting that the renovation of these bridges should be completed before the northeast monsoon rain sets in during the latter part of the year.