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Road closed…
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Story and pix by Karuwalagaswewa Jayarathna Wickramarachchi
The reopening of the old Puttalam-Mannar road in the aftermath of the war came as a relief to travellers.
However after the recent floods the road has been damaged to such an extent, that the 10 km stretch of road running through the Wilpattu National Park is in a much worse condition. All public transport along this road has come to a standstill.
This road, in addition to providing a short cut to travellers, also leads to the Wilpattu National Park, the Silavathura navy camp, many villages, the Pallakandal Church, and such important archaeological sites as Pomparippu, the Thambapanni and what is believed to be the ‘palace of Kuveni’.
When the Chairman of the Vanathavillu Pradeshiya Sabha Douglas Indika Senadheera was contacted, he said that though construction would be very costly, the Pradeshiya Sabha would attend to it to the best of its ability.
 The 10 km stretch of road running through the Wilpattu National Park is in a badly dilapidated condition |  After heavy rains this bridge goes under water, cutting off travel to and from the Silavathurai Army camp situated beyond the bridge |
 These stagnant pools of water have also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes |  Not a crater on the moon but a section of the 'Old Puttalam-Mannar Road' |
 The reopened Old Puttalam-Mannar Road is now virtually impassable | |