The bridge which is the first east-west land connection across the Batticaloa lagoon on Colombo-Batticaloa A-4 road via Pothuvil , has been constructed through a 1,206 million Japanese Yen (close to Rs. 2 billion) grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The 210m long bridge fulfills a long felt need of the people in the Eastern Province. Before construction of the bridge the access between the west and east was by a small ferry. During the rainy season due to floods the ferry service comes to a halt and the people have to travel about 30km to access the other side.
The new bridge will ease the burden of transport and the farmers as well as the traders will immensely benefit.

The project was implemented by the Road Development Authority (RDA) of the Ministry of Ports and Highways in cooperation with JICA. The Manmunai Bridge construction commenced in 2012, and it marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.