Yes, before the arrival of the Portuguese (referred to as sudda in Sri Lankan slang), ancient Sri Lankans built several bridges using advanced engineering techniques for their time. Some notable examples include:
1. Mahaweli River Bridges
• Ancient Sri Lankans built wooden and stone bridges across major rivers like the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe to support trade and transportation.
2. Stone Bridges in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
• Ruins of stone bridges (Gal Palama) from the Anuradhapura (377 BC – 1017 AD) and Polonnaruwa (1056–1236 AD) periods still exist.
• A well-known stone bridge can be seen near the Gal Vihara in Polonnaruwa.
3. Causeways and Dams as Bridges
• Large reservoirs (wewas), such as the Parakrama Samudra, had causeways functioning as bridges.
• The Bisokotuwa technology used for controlling water flow also helped build stable pathways over water bodies.
4. Adam’s Bridge (Rama’s Bridge)
• Though mainly a natural formation, ancient texts like the Ramayana mention that a bridge was built between India and Sri Lanka. Some believe early civilizations used it as a crossing point.
Ancient Sri Lankan engineers, especially during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras, were skilled in hydraulic engineering and civil construction, making it possible to build durable bridges without modern technology.