Mawanella Bridge, located in Mawanella town over Maha Oya in the Kegalle District, is the oldest functioning brick bridge in the country. Built in 1833 during British colonial rule, the bridge is approximately 69m long and features four elegant brick arches. Constructed from specially cut bricks without additional reinforcements, it stands as a remarkable example of early 19th century British engineering. It has remained in continuous use for nearly two centuries. The bridge was part of the Colombo-Kandy Road project overseen by Captain William Francis Dawson under Governor Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton’s orders. Recognised as a protected archaeological monument since 1996, the Mawanella Bridge stands today as a proud symbol of Sri Lanka’s colonial infrastructure heritage.
