🌉 Irakkandi Bridge – Connecting Communities Across the Lagoon
📍 Location: Irakkandi Lagoon, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
🌐 Links: Trincomalee ↔ Pulmoddai
🗓️ Inaugurated: 20 October 2009
🌍 Funded By: Government of Saudi Arabia

🏗️ Overview
The Irakkandi Bridge stands as the third longest bridge in Sri Lanka, stretching 300 meters (980 feet) across the serene Irakkandi Lagoon. Strategically positioned, it serves as a vital transport link between the eastern port city of Trincomalee and the mineral-rich region of Pulmoddai.

🧭 Key Features
Total Length: 300 meters (980 feet)
Function: Connects key towns, improves local trade routes, and facilitates tourism and mobility
Inauguration: Opened on the same day as the Kinniya Bridge by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, marking a milestone in national infrastructure development
International Support: Constructed with financial assistance from the Saudi Arabian government, showcasing strong global cooperation

🌟 Significance
Area
Impact
🚧 Infrastructure
Enhances transport efficiency in the Eastern Province
📈 Economic Growth
Boosts regional development and access to Pulmoddai’s mineral resources
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social Integration
Strengthens community ties by improving connectivity
🌍 International Relations
Represents successful foreign-funded development in post-war Sri Lanka
 

📸 Visitor Tip
While not a tourist hotspot, the bridge offers scenic views of the Irakkandi Lagoon, especially at sunrise or sunset. It’s worth a quick stop if you’re traveling between Trincomalee and Nilaveli, or heading north to Pulmoddai.

📝 Final Thought
The Irakkandi Bridge is more than just a physical structure—it’s a symbol of progress, connectivity, and international collaboration. As part of Sri Lanka’s ongoing infrastructure expansion, it plays a key role in empowering the Eastern Province and linking remote communities to the national grid.