Heritage buffs, who have been demanding the restoration of a bridge here on the River Kelani that was put up temporarily for David Lean’s Oscar-winning 1957 film, “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” may have the last laugh.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which is implementing 35-megawatt (MW) Broadlands hydro power project very close to the bridge site, says it will construct a bridge similar to the one depicted in the famous film.
May be ready by 2017-end
Kamal Laksiri, CEB’s project director, hopes that the bridge will be ready by the end of 2017. Once it is in place, more and more tourists will come here. Besides, “we will establish a museum on hydro power as it is in this region that the country’s first hydro power plant was established nearly 70 years ago,” Prof. Laksiri says, adding that the Broadlands plant of $ 82 million is scheduled to be commissioned in two years.
A visit to the bridge site reveals that there are no tangible remnants of a wooden bridge that was erected across the west-flowing Kelani for the film.
Film says bridge was blasted
As per the script of the film, the bridge was blasted and its vestiges such as iron bars were there for many years.
Once the developmental activity in the area picked up momentum, even they got erased, says Dinesh, a local resident, pointing to a concrete base on the left bank of the river as the only remnant left behind.
Translating the reel into real
Chandran Rutnam, veteran film-maker of Sri Lanka and a long-time proponent of the idea, says the movie continues to be rated one of the all-time best films. Emphasising that it is an iconic film, Mr. Rutnam says there is still worldwide interest in this site which should be utilised to the fullest possible advantage.
Now, Kitulgala, about 90 km north-east of Colombo, has become an important centre of white water rafting and a number of firms are promoting the sport.
Water flow diminishment concerns
When the authorities were about to begin the execution of the hydro power project some years ago, there were concerns that the water flow in the river would diminish substantially, affecting the sporting activity. Subsequently, an understanding has been arrived at between the CEB and the rafting firms.
Channa Perera, president of the White Water Rafting Association, says the authorities have agreed to release water between 10 am and 2 p.m. every day while Prof. Laksiri says the details regarding the duration of the water release have not yet been worked out.
