Sri Lanka Railways Forum

General Manager of Sri Lanka Railway E.A.P. Ariyarathna says that 13 new power set trains will be imported from China next year.

The trains will be purchased from Chinese government under an agreement that has been signed. They are to be dispatched to Sri Lanka in April, says the official.

The trains imported under a special loan scheme approved by the Chinese government cost Rs. 9 billion.

Of the 13 trains, seven will be deployed on the main line between Colombo and Polgahawela and four will be run on Kelani Weli line from Colombo to Avissawella.

Source: Colombopage

The entire fleet of trains of the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) is to be equipped with modern safety devices including Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and minimise accidents, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

He said 10 trains have already been installed with GPS in a pilot project and tests have been carried out on the main line.

The software components of the device include an alarm system that alerts the engine driver about an approaching train on the same track, at a safe distance. It also gives an alarm signal to the driver if he approaches a train stopped on the railway platform on the same track. Another new facility will be the opportunity to exchange information between engine drivers over the phone Minister Welgama said.

The GPS system will enable the operators in the control room to know the exact location of a moving train at any given time, its speed and the gap between two trains on the same track. With this device an engine driver will have the facility to know the whereabouts of all trains within a 10km radius. This would greatly help towards preventing accidents, the minister added.

Source: Dailymirror

Yal Devi, the popular Northern line express train from Fort to Jaffna will resume its run after 20 years between the two main cities in the end of 2013 once the track between Pallai and KKS was restored by the Indians in two years, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said today.

The agreement for the reconstruction of the railway line between Pallai and Kankesanthurai was signed between Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) and Ircon International Limited, India today at a simple ceremony held in Colombo attended by Minister Welgama and Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha.

The project costing USD 149 Million is the fifth project from Northern Sri Lanka to be covered under Indian Line of Credit. The Pallai – KKS project covering 56 Km will be completed by the end of 2013.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Welgama further said the SLR is engaged in reconstruction of other lines and therefore the government decided to entrust the reconstruction of mainlines to India.

Indian High Commissioner Mr. Kantha said the reconstruction of the last phase of the Northern line by Ircon. “India is a key player in the development of Sri Lanka and is engaged in numerous development projects.

The 106 KM stretch From Medawachchiya to Talaimannar, 90 Km stretch between Omanthai and Pallai are two of them.

Source: Dailymirror

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The Sri Lankan government has sought cabinet approval for the construction of a new railroad in northeastern part of the country.

The proposed 90-kilometer rail road is to connect Medawachchiya in the Anuradhapura District of North Central Province to Trincomalee in the Eastern Province.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet of ministers Wednesday approved a proposal submitted by Transport Minister Kumara Welgama to award the contract to the University of Colombo for a feasibility study for the new railroad.

The new railroad will link the railway network in the Northern Province with that of the Eastern Province.

Source: colombopage.com

India today agreed to provide assistance to establish a Signaling and Telecommunication system for railway network in Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways B.A.P. Ariyarathna and the Managing Director of Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) Mohan Tiwari signed tha agreement today in the presence of Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha, and Secretary, Ministry of Transport Dhammika Perera, a press release by the High Commission of India in Colombo said.

Under the agreement, India will supply and install a Signaling and Telecommunication system for the railway network in the Northern Province at a cost of US$ 86.51 million provided by the Indian government at concessional terms as a part of Indian Line of Credit of US$ 800 million.

The proposed contract will cover the Anuradhapura- Kankasanthurai (KKS) and Medawachchiya Thalaimannar sections which cover a route length of 341 kilometers and 28 stations.

The signaling work involves provision of centralized control panel, interlocking color light system with electrically operated points and track detection system. All the level crossings will be interlocked with new signaling system, which would ensure safety at level crossings.

The telecommunication work involves provision of optical fiber communication system throughout the section. In addition, public address system, etc., shall also be provided at major stations.

In his remarks after the signing ceremony, High Commissioner Kantha has said that the proposed telecommunication system offered by IRCON is based on proven technology and maintainability.

He noted that work is already in progress for track- laying work on the Medawachchiya – Madhu Road, Madhu Road – Thalaimannar and Omanthai – Pallai Sections. He added that IRCON is receiving full support of the Government of Sri Lanka and the projects would be completed as per schedule.

High Commissioner also noted that IRCON has successfully completed Galle – Matara Section of Coastal Railway Line covering 42 kilometers in February 2011. The work on Kalutara – Galle Section is scheduled to commence from first week of September 2011 and will be completed by March 2012. The southern coastal railway line project is also being funded under Government of India credit line of US$ 167.4 million.

The credit line carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.5 % with LIBOR capped at 3% with a repayment period of 20 years with a five year moratorium.

Minister Welgama speaking at the occasion has noted the deep bond of friendship between the two countries and expressed his deep appreciation for assistance provided by the Government of India.

Source: Colombopage.com

Sri Lanka Railways has decided to close the Southern railway track from Induruwa to Galle from September 01.

The railway line will be closed for six months for renovations, Sri Lanka Railways says. Train services will be operated between Colombo – Aluthgama and Galle-Matara during this period.

Sri Lanka Railways is planning a special joint train-bus service for the convenience of the passengers during this period, a spokesman of Sri Lanka Railways said.

The 54-kilometer railway track will be closed for upgrading under the condition that the construction will be definitely completed during the stipulated time frame.

The segment to be closed is a part of the comprehensive project for upgrading the coastal railway line from Colombo to Matara.

The reconstructed Galle-Matara segment was opened in February for high-speed passenger train transport while the second phase of construction between Galle and Hikkaduwa also began on the 15th of February. In the third phase, development of the railway track from Hikkaduwa to Kalutara South will take place.

The Indian government has pledged US$ 167.4 million for the project. Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) is entrusted with the construction.

Source: Colombopage.com