The Yal-Devi ICE reaches Anuradhapura in a record time in its inaugural run
Update: The News on the Island had some errors, we have fixed it here
The train left Colombo with a full complement of passengers at 5.45 am and reached Anuradhapura by 9 am, just in 3 hours 10 minutes, said GMR Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan.
He said that Minister of Transport Dulles Alahapperuma had launched this service with three key objectives in mind — firstly for people to go home for the New Year, secondly to keep Yal-Devi on the run until the “Uthuru –Mithuru” project for the train to operate to KKS becomes a reality and thirdly to attract those motor travelers to switch to travel faster, safer and cheaper without any hassle, between Anuradhapura and Colombo in three hours.
The Udaya-Devi would make inaugural run leave Colombo Fort today Sunday at 10.30 am to reach Batticaloa by 6.30 pm.
Both Inter-City trains will operate on all seven days of the week. Yal-Devi would leave from Vavuniya at 3.30 pm and reach Anuradhapura at 4.55 pm and Colombo Fort at 8.30 pm.
Dr.Gunaruwan said that the Government will go ahead with re-laying the rail track and re-establishing stations to make the run to KKS a reality in time to come.
by By Franklin R. Satyapalan
Source: The Island
April 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
its better to red and yellow old compartments new comprtments are in yal devi the seats are uncomfertable for long journey. 1980s intercity to jaffna had red and yellow compartments with red and yellow m6 enginwe 788. i think is better to put a m6 engine which is the most relable engine with a top speed of 90 mph. to prevent from delays. i am passenger goes to anu on saturday morning
April 17th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
In that Yal devi new train Specialy In ths 3rd class i dont know how the people travel. Seats just like a rock……….
April 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
in yal devi we buy 2nd class tickets but we get in to the train no seats so sat in 3rd class and went otherwise we has to stand and go the 3rd class seats are very uncomfortable
April 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Excellent – Colombo to Anuradapura in just 3.00 hours
Thanks Sri Lanka Railways and staff