From Galle to Matara:

Upgraded railway track commissioned

Irangika Range in Matara

The Government yesterday commissioned the upgraded express coastal railway line from Galle to Matara. US $ 36 million was spent for the project.

Train Services on the upgraded coastal railway track between Galle and Matara was inaugurated yesterday. Picture shows Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha at the inauguration ceremony. Bottom: The first train bound for Matara before leaving the Galle Railway station. Pictures by W P Dharmasena

The first train left the Galle Railway station at 12.30pm with the blessings of the Buddhist monks and other religious leaders.

The train which travelled at a speed of 100 km per hour reached the Matara Railway Station within 37 minutes.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said the Government has reached another milestone in the country’s railway history.

Plans have already been drawn up to upgrade the railway lines in the country to provide a speedy and safe service to commuters. The construction on Matara Beliatta railway line is expected to commence in April this year. The railway track will be extended up to Kataragama within two years,” the Minister further said.

“We have already completed the Northern railway track from Omanthai to Pallai,” he said.

In order to provide a better service to commuters, the Government has imported 20 new power sets. Two power sets out of 20 have already been brought to Colombo.

Sri Lanka Transport Board services will be strengthened further adding more buses to the fleet. The current fleet of 5,300 buses will be increased up to 7,000 shortly. The Minister said that he received a number of complaints from commuters about train delays on the coastal line. Due to various shortcomings in the old coastal railway track, train commuters faced may difficulties.

”That is why we decided to upgrade the Southern railway line. The train travelled on modernized rail track had a smooth run providing a comfortable ride to commuters.”

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha said that India provide a soft loan for the upgrade of the coastal railway line. The construction is handled by IRCON, an Indian company.

The Galle-Matara Railway line renovation project covering a distance of 42 kilometers has been completed on schedule. Work on phase II of the project from Galle to Kalutara has already commenced and would be completed early next year.

The High Commissioner said that India was committed to work with the Sri Lankan Government towards the consolidation of peace, prosperity and development in Sri Lanka and further bilateral ties.

Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake said the railway service will be strengthened to provide a safe and speedy journey. “We have planned to renovate and modernize 1,150 kms of the country’s railway network,” he said.