Southern railway to run again

Sri Lanka Railway announced that the railway transport between Galle and Aluthgama stations on the Southern coastal line will recommence on 19 March Monday.

The segment from Aluthgama to Galle was closed for renovation since July 2011.

However, the Aluthgama to Kalutara portion of the railway will remain closed for repair. That part was closed on January this year and it will be open in April following completion, says Sri Lanka Railway.

Sri Lanka Railway expects to commence operations from Colombo to Matara before the New Year festive season in mid-April, a spokesman said.

The reconstructed Galle-Matara segment was opened in February 2011 for high-speed passenger train transport while the second phase of construction between Galle and Hikkaduwa also began on the 15th of February 2011.

The Indian Government has pledged US$ 167.4 million for the reconstruction of the Southern coastal line. Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) is entrusted with the construction.

(www.colombopage.com)