Kataragama rail extension work begins today

Rajmi MANATUNGA

COLOMBO: The construction work on the Matara-Kataragama rail extension will commence today under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The project which seeks to extend the coastal railway line up to Kataragama, will be launched with the construction of a rail bridge across the Nilwala river in Matara.

According to the New Rail Road Development Ministry, the project consists of two phases funded jointly by the Sri Lankan and Chinese Governments.

The first phase of the project includes the building of a bridge across the Nilwala Ganga and the laying of 12 kilometres of rail track. The Government has allocated Rs 1.2 million from this year's budget for the first phase.

The second phase involves the construction of bridges across the Walawe, Kirindi Oya and Kirama Oya rivers and laying the rail track up to Kataragama.

The project also includes the construction of four main railway bridges, building 20 new railway stations and setting up new level crossings. The new rail link, to be completed in 2008 is expected to cut down the travel time from Colombo to Kataragama to three hours.

Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and New Rail Road Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera will participate in today's inauguration ceremony.