SRI LANKA Army Engineers, providing the best of combat support during the peak of the successfully-completed fight against LTTE terrorism, have effectively renovated or restored then and there over twenty LTTE destroyed bridges in Wanni and elsewhere facilitating the onward march of offensive troops in the East and Wanni.
When the historic Mavil Aru episode unfolded, 7 Field Engineer Regiment swiftly moved in and repaired the LTTE destroyed 180 ft-long Kayankerni bridge along Muttur-Batticaloa (A 15) road and the 50 ft-long Panichchankerni bridge within a matter of 2-3 days, enabling marching troops to effectively cross over to the opposite side, crushing intentions of the enemy. Immediate restoration of those two bridges, blown up by Tiger terrorists earlier after the Mavil Aru incident helped movement of about 60,000 Muslims and Tamils, resident in Kadjuwatte, Kayankerni, Kadiravely, Panichchankerni and Batticaloa areas who used to enter those areas for their daily requirements.
1 Field Engineer Regiment in another similar instance in the north constructed a 300 ft-long compact-200 double single bridge at Thondamanaru on Point Pedro-Palaly road in July 2007 within a matter of two weeks, as an alternative one to the LTTE destroyed bridge. A similar compact-type 30 ft-long bridge saw its completion at Palampiddi town on Palampiddi-Mullikulam road as the Wanni humanitarian operations were climaxing.
Another challenge was positively taken up by the Engineers when 57 Division troops were inching towards Wanni across Kirisuddan-Nathankandal, a road that runs through dense jungles. Ground requirements urgently needed erection of two compact-200 type extra wide bridges. The same 5 Field Engineer Regiment built two more bridges, one 130 ft long and the other 140 ft in length at Periyamadu and Palli Aru areas as the same 57 Division troops were continuing offensives in Wanni.
5 Field Engineer Regiment, providing their push to the marching northward troops constructed a 50 ft-long compact-200 type bridge on Paranthan-Pooneryn (B-69) road and one more of 60 ft-long along Paranthan - Puthukkudiyiruppu road as columns of armour and artillery battle tanks, supported by ground troops found their way into the theatre of war.
Around the same time, Engineer troops in order to facilitate the onward march of the 62 Division troops on the offensive, immediately put up a new bridge of 150 ft long at Oddusuddan area on Mankulam-Mullattivu road and provided uninterrupted flow of military requirements to the ground battles.
Again, 11 Field Engineer Regiment promptly constructed a 80 ft long bridge at Kalmadu as the troops were preparing to capture Thunukkai town during the Wanni humanitarian operations. That enabled evacuation of battle casualties within the shortest period of time. The Vilayartkulam 100 ft-long bridge after repairs were done to Kalmadu- Thunukkai road was resurrected in order to ensure the sustenance of military supplies to the deeps in the Wanni region. Similar bridges were erected by the Engineers at Nayaru lagoon, Karappakutti, Kumalamunai and Kumurapuram areas as the thrust on the enemy accelerated and troop requirement priorities swelled. All those erections, displaying Engineer skills and timely needs enormously supported the onward march of the Task Forces and 57, 58 and 59 Division troops who rendered an indelible service to the nation.
In addition to above constructions, the Engineers were also able to erect a number of other temporary makeshift needs for the convenience of troops, engaged in humanitarian operations.
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