Ulapane Upside Down Bridge with arch shaped structures – By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Sri Lanka has an impressive array of bridges, some are well-known bridges utilized by people from the day of construction to date, whereas some are popular tourist attractions. Majority of the bridges were constructed during the British Colonial Era. *Nine Arch Bridge, *Demodara Bridge, *Kallady Bridge, *Mahakandarawa Stone Bridge, *Bogoda Wooden Bridge, *Adam’s Bridge and *Kunchikulam Suspension Bridge are some well-known bridges. Some of these bridges are situated off the beaten track and rarely visited by local as well as foreign tourists.
During the British Colonial Era, the Colonials realized that the uplands of Sri Lanka were suitable for coffee, tea as well as rubber cultivations. Hence, they commenced a plantation economy in *Ceylon. By the mid-19th century, Ceylon Tea occupied a prominent place in the British market generating great wealth to a small class of British tea planters. To transport their crops from the hill country to Colombo, Colonials realized that there was a necessity to construct a bridge over *Mahaweli River at Ulapane (approximately one kilometer from Ulapane) in *Matale.
This bridge is unique as the side arches (commonly found on steel bridges) are constructed at the bottom of the bridge with an inverted shape, instead of the usual design in other steel bridges found in different parts of Sri Lanka. Hence, this bridge is known as the “Fool’s Bridge” or the “Upside Down Bridge.”
Construction of this bridge was commenced in 1903 by the Public Works Department and was open to the public on November 2, 1904 by the British. This bridge with arch shaped structures measured 66.46 meters (216 feet) in length and 3.08 meters (10 feet) in width.
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The Bridge is entwined in myths and legends. According to one, when a British high official arrived to ceremoniously open the Bridge and saw that it has been constructed upside down, the engineer was embarrassed and committed suicide.
According to scholars, this is a *truss bridge and the arch structure at the bottom of the Bridge with an inverted shape makes it more load bearing. These types of bridges are known as “Inverted Bowstring Truss type bridge.”
At present, this bridge is not utilized and the two entrances to the Bridge are engulfed in thick jungle. Hence, it is difficult to access the Bridge nor view it at close range.
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This is the only location in the *Central Province where three road bridges over Mahaweli River exists in a single location. A section of a fourth bridge can also be seen in close proximity to the Upside Down Bridge. During the * Mahaweli Development Project, Mahaweli Authority commenced to construct a bridge adjacent to this bridge, yet, after one side was completed, it was abandoned.
The Bridge can be seen clearly from the new bridge, yet, it is better to view it while traveling by train.
After decades of utilizing the Bridge, a new concrete bridge has been constructed around 2015.
- British Colonial Era – British Colonial Era commenced in Ceylon (present Sri Lanka) between 1815 and 1948 following the fall of the *Kandyan Kingdom.
- Central Province – Located in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the Province has three administrative districts: Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya.
- Ceylon – Sri Lanka gained Independence from British Colonials in 1948. In 1972, Ceylon became a republic within the Commonwealth and Ceylon was thereafter known as Sri Lanka.
- Ceylon Tea – Sri Lankan tea (known for generations as “Ceylon Tea”) is the brand of tea produced in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Tea is a product that commenced as a diversification experiment in 1867 spanning 19 acres (approximately seven hectares) of land. At present, Ceylon Tea has surpassed all geographical borders to satisfy 19% of global demand. Reputed worldwide for its signature taste, aroma and globally renowned to be the finest in the world, its unique flavor, fragrance and freshness is due to it being handpicked by expert tea pluckers. It is also the freshest tea available in the global market, expertly packed within three weeks of harvesting. Represented by the “Lion logo” and the ‘Ceylon Tea’ trademarks, it is an assurance of its high quality.
- Kandyan Kingdom – Kandyan Kingdom also known as “Kingdom of Kandy” was a significant independent monarchy in *Ceylon founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Kandy survived the attacks of Ceylon’s first two colonial rulers, the Portuguese and the Dutch, yet was occupied by the third and last colonial ruler, the British, in 1815. The other Sinhalese Kingdoms had been occupied by the Portuguese and Dutch Colonials from the early 1600s. Yet, Kandy remained independent from colonial rule for another two centuries.
- Mahaweli Development Project (MDP) – The largest irrigation-based agricultural development program in Sri Lanka and considered as the keystone of the government’s development program that was initiated, in 1961. It is also one of the largest agriculture-related programs in the world. The main purposes of implementing the program were to generate hydroelectric power, provide irrigation facilities for dry zone cultivation, settlement of landless and unemployed families by constructing and developing physical and social infrastructure required for human habitation by using the waters of the Mahaweli River.
- Mahaweli River – Sri Lanka’s longest river, 335 kilometers in length with a drainage basin of 10,448km2.
- Matale – Located at the heart of the Central Hills, Matale is situated at an elevation around 365 meters above sea level. Matale is the administrative capital and largest town of Matale District of Central Province.
- Truss Bridge – A bridge whose load-bearing superstructure is composed of a truss, a structure of connected elements, typically forming triangular units. Hence, the connected elements (that are typically straight) may be stressed from tension, compression or at times from both, in response to dynamic loads. A truss bridge is considered as economical as it utilizes materials efficiently.
- Ulapane – A breathtaking small hamlet in the *Central Province situated a few kilometers from Kandy City. There are several spectacular attractions in the village well-known as “quirky Ulapane” by the majority of local and foreign visitors due to its idiosyncratic atmosphere. This fascinating hamlet and its breathtaking landscape trap visitors to explore it.
Bogoda Wooden Bridge – oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – January 4, 2021
Demodara Railway Loop – engineering marvel of Colonial Era – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – December 8, 2020
Kallady Bridge in the land of “Singing Fish” – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – November 2, 2022
Kunchikulam Suspension Bridge – rare structure in the wilderness – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – May 19, 2022
Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge – skilled craftsmanship of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – August 31, 2022
Nine Arch Bridge – spectacular architectural marvel in Ella – By Arundathie Abeysinghe – September 27, 2020
