Dec 12, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government today entered into an agreement with the Matiere and Eiffage Constructions Metalliques, a France based consortium to get 46 metallic bridges for the country's highways.

The bridges will be partly financed by a soft loan of Euro 22.05 million (3.7 billion rupees) from the government of France.

The Sri Lanka government will undertake the installing of the bridges along the highways and will bear the cost of the work.

The 46 bridges have been selected from 17 Districts in Western, Southern, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western Provinces on a priority basis. The bridges located close to towns are given high priority with a view to eliminating traffic congestion.

Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Highways R. W. R. Pemasiri and Chairman of the French company Philippe Matière signed agreement on behalf of respective parties in the presence of the French ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ms. Christine Robichon.