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TRINCOMALEE BAY SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA Page | 42
5. Transportation
187. Infrastructure in the coastal areas of Trincomalee District, and within the SAM
planning area has been severely affected by the conflict. Most roads are in a dilapidated
state, especially the A-15 road from Kinniya to Verugal, and the coastal roads from Nilaveli
northwards. Roadways in Muthur and Kinniya have been washed out due to coastal erosion,
and have been realigned on several occasions. These roads were particularly badly effected
by the 2004 Tsunami. The poor condition of the roads has hindered movement of people,
transport of goods, and access to services and so has had a major negative impact on the
everyday lives of much of the population living in the SAM planning area.
188. However, Government has introduced major infrastructure development projects
under the Eastern Province Reawakening Program. These include the recently completed
construction of Kinniya bridge, the longest bridge in Sri Lanka at about 396m. The China
bay–Kinniya road is being developed whilst Kinniya-Muthur road is also under construction.
Government is also taking action to construct bridges in Upparu estuary, Mahaweli Ganga
estuary and Ralkuli estuary which will replace the existing ferry services.
189. Development of the A-15 road will improve access to Kinniya and Muthur and the
associated parts of the SAM planning area. There will be several environmental issues in the
construction phase which will affect the SAM planning area. The DSAM CCC under the TB
SAM Plan needs to ensure that the development minimizes adverse impacts on the SAM
planning area by coordinating with the Road Development Authority (RDA).
190. Government is also constructing the remaining section of the A-15 road from Muthur
to Batticaloa. Once completed there will be a fast road link between Trincomalee and
Batticaloa reducing travel time by several hours compared the present route via Habarana
Junction. All these developments will bring more vehicle transport to the A-15 road and more
opportunities for socio-economic development between Kinniya and Muthur. Invariably these
developments will put pressure on the TB SAM and DSAM CCC need to implement the
SAMP in response to these developments.
6. Cultural and Religious Environment
191. The history and associated culture of the Eastern Province go back several thousand
years. Hinduism and Buddhism have been enriched by the arrival of Muslims in the 9th
century, Portuguese in the 16th Century, Dutch in the 17th Century and the British from the
19th century together with their associated cultures and religions.
192. All religious and ethnic groups can be found living in the SAM planning area. Because
of this wide cultural diversity, each ethnic group has its own performing arts, handicrafts,
festivals, cuisine, religious and ancient sites. The majority of these local arts, crafts and
customs are virtually unknown to all but the immediate locality.
193. Trincomalee city is also rich in history, culture and religious diversity with
representation from all the major socio-cultural groups in the country. Koneswaran kovil
(“Thadchana Kailash”), in Trincomalee city, is a major Hindu Temple in Sri Lanka. The
temple is visited particularly by Indian pilgrims. Many other Hindu temples are located
throughout the city. Seruvila Buddhist temple at Muthur and Tiriyai Buddhist temple at
Trincomalee are very important pilgrimage sites for Sri Lankan Buddhists and for more than
75% of the total population. Improvement of the A-15 road should increase the number of
Buddhist pilgrims travelling from Tiriyai to Trincomalee to Seruwila via Kinniya and Muthur.
All these development will have different impacts on the TB SAM.