India-Funded 240-Foot Bailey Bridge Restores Critical Coastal Link in Chilaw 📈

A major infrastructure milestone was reached yesterday with the inauguration of a 240-foot Bailey bridge on the Chilaw–Thoduwawa Road, a vital transport artery in the Puttalam District. • Overall Project: The bridge is the longest extra-wide Bailey bridge installed by India in Sri Lanka to date, measuring 240 feet long and 13 feet wide. It was constructed by the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force in coordination with the Sri Lankan Army and the Road Development Authority (RDA). • Economic Impact: The bridge restores a key coastal corridor connecting Colombo to Puttalam. This is critical for the fisheries and agriculture sectors, facilitating the movement of goods, essential supplies, and supporting local livelihoods disrupted by Cyclone Ditwah. • Funding & Recovery: The project is part of a US$ 450 Mn Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Package from India. A specific US$ 30 Mn grant is allocated for bridge restoration. The structure utilized part of a 214-ton consignment of bridge components that arrived in February 2026. • Future Outlook: Based on provisional plans, approximately 15 additional Bailey bridges are scheduled for construction in the coming weeks. Indian engineering teams have already assessed over 40 damaged sites across seven provinces to provide technical guidance for infrastructure repairs.