An Industrial Archaeological Study of bridges built during the British period in Kandy and Suburbs (Based on Selected sites)

Abstract

As a result of the Industrial Revolution during British Colonial rule, during the period 1815 – 1947 many bridges were built in Kandy and surrounding areas. With the commencement of the plantation Industry in the Upcountry, a highway was built from Colombo to Kandy in 1820 to transport the plantation produce to the Port of Colombo. The British built several Civil engineering structures, including bridges and culverts, along the highway and other roads. Sir Edward Barnes, then Governor of Sri Lanka, paid special attention to the construction of bridges and culverts in Kandy and surrounding areas. The craftsmanship and construction materials used in contemporary bridge technology varied from brick-arched bridges to iron bridges. There have been many examples of such erections in Kandy and surrounding areas. Major Thomas Skinner, John Fresher, Captain Gordon, and Captain A. Brown were at the forefront of the design and construction of bridges during the period under the supervision of the Royal Department of Engineering. At present, due to public negligence and various development projects, many bridges in Kandy and its Suburbs are being destroyed without any investigation into their values. In this regard, field, and non–field study methods were used to uncover information. The main objective of this research is to identify bridges built during the British era and around Kandy and its Suburbs.