ANCIENT SRI LANKAN ENGINEERS AND ARTISANS – By Dr Tilak . S Fernando Ceylon Today on 29 December 2022 This article is based on our forefathers, excellent engineers and artisans with exceptional skills. How many of our present generation is conversant with Sri Lanka engineers’ activities in the bygone years who have amazed the whole world? During the remarkable Parakramabahu reign, the construction of the tallest buildings commenced. King Mahasen also did the most significant structures. The world’s first hospital was constructed during BC 367- 437 during King Pandukabhaya’s reign. No wonder foreigners became dumbstruck when these were built between the second and fourth centuries using metal veins. Sri Lankan ancestors created Palaces following the ancient masterpieces of Ramayana during the Ravana epoch. During the Gampola era, Sri Lankan forefathers produced the world’s first pair of spectacles, a unique design known as ‘ Diyatrippu.’ Wood carving craft came up during ...

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Kunchikulam Suspension Bridge – rare structure in the wilderness – By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Situated approximately 42 kilometers from Mannar along Medawachchiya -Talaimannar road in Kunchikulam, in close proximity to *Wilpattu National Park, Kunchikulam Suspension Bridge is a hidden tourist attraction in the wilderness. Also known as “Kunchukulam Suspension Bridge”,  Kunchikulam Hanging Bridge or “Kunchikulam Ellena Palama” or “Kunchikulam Sangili Palama” (in Sinhala meaning suspension bridge), the 100 meter long and 1.2 meters wide bridge is held by two strong cables with steel sheets laid across. The Bridge stretches across Malwathu Oya (Oya meaning stream in Sinhala). The Bridge can be seen en route to popular *Madhu Church when traveling from Medawachchiya. There is a small bill board before this road with directions to the hanging bridge. After traveling approximately 800 meters on this road, there is an ancient Steel Arch Bridge constructed across Yoda Ela, a 13 kilometer long ...

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