President to Transport Ministry officials:

Complete Matara-Kataragama line within six months

Chaminda Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the Transport Ministry officials to complete the construction of the Matara–Kataragama railway line up to Beliatta within six months.

He stressed that most of the projects initiated by the Government except the Matara – Kataragama railway line are nearing completion. He was speaking at the progress review meeting of the Transport Ministry at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Railways Department has been talking of this railway line for the past four years without any progress, he added.

He said the Department should take up the challenge of constructing the railway line up to Beliatta which is just 20 km away from Matara within six months.

It was also revealed at this meeting that the Railways Department has planned to manufacture railway carriages locally at the Dematagoda workshop.

The President instructed Department officials that the private sector should also be involved in the manufacture of railway carriages.

He was of the opinion that the talents of the students who pass out from technical colleges should be properly made use of, for manufacturing of railway carriages locally.

Transport Ministry Secretary Lalitha Sri Gunaruwan added that the private companies are willing to set up joint ventures to manufacture railway carriages.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa added the Railways Department should discuss with the Ports Authority on container handling.

Ministry Secretary Lalith Sri Gunaruwan pointed out that lack of railway sheds at port terminals made the handling process difficult.

The President stressed that there should be a facility for the unloading of containers directly to the train at Port terminals in the future.