Restoration work on the Yaka Palama, popularly known as the Devil’s Bridge in Peradeniya, is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed within the next two to three months, according to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB).
CECB Engineer Mihira Gunasena told the media that serious structural concerns emerged after recent floods caused one of the bridge piers to lean continuously at a rate of about six millimetres per day. Engineers later carried out detailed investigations with the assistance of divers and discovered a large cavity beneath the middle pier of the bridge.
He said the cavity was subsequently filled using underwater concrete, successfully arresting the movement of the pier. With the immediate risk now mitigated, plans are in place to continue restoration work and resume train services over the bridge once repairs are completed.
Prior to the repair work, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a major two-week operation to remove massive debris that had accumulated at the Devil’s Bridge following Cyclone Ditwah. The operation restored the natural water flow of the Mahaweli River and was considered critical to protecting the bridge and enabling engineering assessments.
In addition, a large-scale operation was launched on Monday (December 15) near the Peradeniya railway bridge to clear a major obstruction in the Mahaweli River, which had posed challenges to engineers for more than ten days.
