{{Infobox Bridge |bridge_name = Mawanella Bridge |image = |caption = |official_name = |also_known_as = |carries = 2 lanes |crosses = Maha Oya |locale = Mawanella |design = Arch bridge |material = masonry bricks |length = {{convert|70|m|ft|abbr=on}} |width = {{convert|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} |height = {{convert|4.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} |spans = 4 |complete = {{date and age|1833|}} |coordinates = {{coord|7|15|1.5|N|80|26|36.5|E|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Mawanella Bridge''' ({{langx|si|මාවනැල්ල ගඩොල් පාලමේ ඉතිහාසය}}) is the oldest operational brick bridge in Sri Lanka. The bridge was built in 1833 in Mawanella over the Maha Oya.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ceylon and Her People|volume=3|author=Fijjik|publisher=Lake House Investments|date=1970|page=76|isbn=}}</ref> The arch bridge has four arches, with each arch {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and is constructed entirely from bricks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/29/features/138477/ancient-bridges-%E2%80%93-evidence-proud-history|title=Ancient Bridges - Evidence of a Proud History|newspaper=The Daily News|first=Hideaki|last=Takaura|date=29 December 2017 |access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Premala Sivaprakasapillai Sivasegaram |first= |title=History of Engineering in Sri Lanka |date=2006 |publisher=Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka |isbn=9789559119029 |page=60}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2009/02/01/jun06.asp|title=Bridges old and new|newspaper=Sunday Observer|date=1 February 2009|access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref>
In 1820 the British commenced construction of the Colombo - Kandy Road, under the orders of the Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton. The construction of the road was supervised by Captain William Francis Dawson. Five bridges had to be constructed with the road, one being the Arch Bridge over the Maha Oya in Mawanella, the other four were the Ferry Bridge over Kelani River, the Arch Bridge over Hingula Oya in Hingula, the Pilimathalawa Bridge across Nanu Oya and the Satin Bridge over Mahaweli River in Peradeniya. Construction of the bridge commenced in 1832 and was completed in 1833.<ref>{{cite book|title=Heritage of Sabaragamuwa: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites|author=Ec. Ē. Pī Abhayavardhana|publisher=Sabaragamuwa Development Bank|date=2002|page=54|isbn=9789555750776}}</ref>
The bridge was formally recognised by the Government as a protected archaeological site on 1 November 1996.<ref name=Gaz>{{cite journal|title=Gazette|date=1 November 1996|journal=The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka|volume=10}}</ref>
In 2005 a modern concrete bridge was constructed to the north of the historic bridge.
==See also== * Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:1832 establishments in Ceylon Category:Bridges completed in 1832 Category:Bridges in Kegalle District Category:Archaeological protected monuments in Kegalle District