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| Wednesday, 27 March 2002 |
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by Ranil Wijayapala In tandem with the developments in the Norwegian brokered peace process, the Government is now taking steps to restore rail tracks in the Northern and Eastern provinces to re-start train services to Batticaloa, Kankasanthurai and Talaimannar. Addressing a ceremony to mark the International Railway Workers Day, Minister of State Transport Piyasoma Upali said an estimated Rs. 4.2 billion is needed for the Railway Department to recommence all train services in the North and East which were stopped due to the conflict. The Government commenced the restoration of these rail tracks under the 100 day program of the Railway Department by extending train services on the Batticaloa line up to Valachchenai through the restoration of the track from Welikanda to Valachchenai at a cost of Rs. 160 million. The Minister said the Transport Ministry is seeking funding for the restoration of these rail tracks from funding agencies as the Railway Department alone cannot bear the cost to restore these rail tracks. The Department needs an estimated Rs. 200 million for the restoration of the track from Valachchenai to Batticaloa, a 35 Kilometre stretch. The estimated cost for the restoration of the rail track from Vavuniya to Kankesanturai on the Northern Line is Rs.200 million. The restoration of the railway track up to Talaimannar from Medawachchiya on the Northern Line needs an estimated Rs.180 million the Minister added. In addition to this the Transport Ministry is also taking steps to strengthen bus services in the Northern part of the country following the re-opening the Jaffna-Kandy road in accordance with the ceasefire agreement reached between the Government and the LTTE. Accordingly, steps will be taken to restart bus services in Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. |
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