18th December 2025 06:27:58 Hours
In the aftermath of the severe impact caused by the Ditwah Cyclone, two key bridges spanning the Nayaru Lagoon in the Grama Seva Division of Chemmale East were extensively damaged and submerged, resulting in the complete disruption of vehicular movement along the vital Kokilai–Mullaittivu main road. The affected bridges are situated within the area of responsibility of the 10 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
Recognising the critical importance of restoring this essential transport link, and acting upon a formal request from the Road Development Authority (RDA), Major General K M P S B Kulatunga RSP ndc psc, Commander of Security Force Headquarters (Wanni), promptly directed Army formations to undertake immediate restoration operations. Consequently, emergency bridge and road reconstruction works were initiated under the close supervision of Major General M W S Millagala RWP RSP USP Hdmc psc, General Officer Commanding of the 59 Infantry Division.
Operational planning, coordination, and execution were meticulously overseen by the Commander of the 591 Infantry Brigade while launching the new compact bridge was exclusively planned and carried out by the troops of Engineer Brigade and 8 Filed Engineer Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Corps ensuring the systematic and efficient conduct of the mission. In accordance with this directive, troops of the 12 Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 10 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, together with personnel from the Sri Lanka Corps of Engineers, were deployed in a continuous, round-the-clock effort to expedite the restoration of the damaged bridges.
Officials of the Road Development Authority were also actively engaged in providing technical expertise since 02 December 2025 and maintained close collaboration throughout the operation. Through the unwavering dedication and commitment of 28 officers and 520 troops deployed from 02 to 16 December 2025, the first bridge along the Kokilai–Mullaittivu axis has been successfully restored and reopened for public use.
