Srilanka, Dec. 7 -- A new bridge will replace the damaged Peradeniya railway bridge, said Railways General Manager Ravindra Padmapriya at the Department of Government Information in Colombo yesterday.

The 158-year-old railway bridge spanning over 300 metres across the Mahaweli river suffered extensive damage due to the Ditwah Cyclone.

"We will assess the condition of the bridge in a more scientific manner in collaboration with the University of Peradeniya and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) following the cleaning up of the debris under the bridge. Till the clean-up is complete, we cannot start the assessment," said Padmapriya.

He said that the clean-up process is expected to be completed by tomorrow with the assistanc...