Govt to import luxury trains

The Railway Department will import two luxury trains from China to promote tourism in the country, Sri Lanka Railway Planning Director Vijaya Samarasinghe said. The Department is looking into the possibility of providing facilities to hold various functions such as weddings, birthday parties and meetings within these trains.

This would be a novel experience to Sri Lankans too, he said. The Department will import two new luxury trains and equip them to meet these needs. The Department will make necessary arrangements to import these luxury trains in the middle of this year

A special schedule will be prepared for the luxury class train service covering all the main railway tracks in the island.

Anybody who wished to use this service, he or she can book the entire train and at least 300 people can travel at the same time.

Subsequently Rs 1,500 will be charged for every kilometre.

The Railway Department hopes to increase its revenue through the operation of these luxury trains, he further said.

Samarasinghe also said that this move was made due to rising demand from locals and foreigners.