Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake jointly laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Moragahakanda Bridge, in Matale, yesterday (21).

The IHC spokesperson said: “The Moragahakanda Bridge is the first of 13 permanent bridges to be constructed across different provinces of Sri Lanka under grant assistance from the Government of India. The project forms part of India’s wider USD 450 million reconstruction and rehabilitation package announced following Cyclone Ditwah, aimed at restoring critical infrastructure in affected areas.

The Moragahakanda Bridge has been accorded priority following a special request from the Government of Sri Lanka, given its importance in restoring connectivity in the region. The new bridge, over 175 metres in length, will provide an important link between the Matale and Polonnaruwa districts and facilitate the movement of local communities.

The bridge will be constructed by IRCON International Limited, an Indian Public Sector Undertaking with a longstanding presence in Sri Lanka.

Following commencement of work at Moragahakanda, construction at the remaining 12 permanent bridge locations is expected to commence over the coming weeks.

India has already constructed 11 Bailey bridges at 10 locations across Sri Lanka to provide immediate restoration of transport links disrupted by Cyclone Ditwah. The commencement of the permanent bridge programme marks the transition from emergency restoration to the construction of permanent and resilient infrastructure.

In addition to the bridge projects, several railway-related connectivity projects are also expected to commence soon under the INR-denominated USD 250 million long-term Line of Credit. These include a new railway bridge at Peradeniya and rehabilitation of railway lines, along with associated signalling systems.

The commencement of the Moragahakanda Bridge reflects India’s continued commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in building resilient infrastructure and strengthening connectivity. These initiatives are part of India’s longstanding, people-centric development partnership with Sri Lanka, aimed at delivering tangible benefits to communities across the country.”

A low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea region of the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to intensify into a depression, within the next 24 hours, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Although the system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, its associated wind flow is expected to maintain rainy conditions, particularly across the southwestern parts of the island, the Department said.

It forecasts showers, or thundershowers, at times today (22), in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces, and in the Galle and Matara districts. Heavy rainfall, of around 100mm, is possible in some areas.

Several spells of showers are also expected in the North-Central Province and the Mannar District. Showers or thundershowers are likely at several places in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, after 2:00 p.m., the Met. Department noted.

The Supreme Court’s confidential determination on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution had been received by the Speaker, the Speaker’s Office said.

Accordingly, the confidential determination, containing the Supreme Court’s decision on the petitions filed challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, is expected to be communicated to Parliament by the Speaker today (22).

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicial Amendment Bill were presented to Parliament on August 18 by Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara.