A narrow single lane bridge and causeway linking Mannar island to the mainland was built in the 1930s.

[1][2] Parts of the bridge collapsed in 1990 after it was blown up by the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

[1][2] A temporary bailey bridge was built but it could not accommodate vehicles over 10 tonnes.

[2] Construction of a new bridge began in 2007 but was halted in January 2008 as the Sri Lankan Civil War flared up again.

[4] The bridge cost 2.46 billion rupees (US$22 million) and was financed by a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.