Sri Lanka to purchase 160 Train-Compartments from India

COLOMBO (News 1st): General Manager of the Railways Dhammika Jayasuriya says that the Government has decided to purchase 160 train compartments from India to ease congestion and facilitate commuters in Sri Lanka better.

Speaking during a press conference held today (24), Jayasuriya said that 50 of the train compartments have already been imported to the country while a 550-seat air-conditioned train is also planned to be imported for long distance commuting.

While emphasizing that train commute is a practical and an easy solution for the current traffic congestion observed on the road, the General Manager of Railways said that several new projects are also due to be introduced to revamp the railway system.

Accordingly plans have been formulated to extend the main railway line to Battaramulla and to introduce a electric train as an alternative for the high congestion observed on the  Panadura - Veyangoda and Polgahawela - Kalutara railway lines.

Commenting on the resumption of public transport services, State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said the Minister of Health has requested the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the National Transport Commission to present the plans to resume public and private bus transportation services in accordance with the health guidelines.

Accordingly, he said the SLTB and the NTC are in the process of preparing the relevant plans including whether or not the vaccination card should be made mandatory to use public transport services.

The final decision in this regard will be reached soon.