Sri Lanka Railways Forum

The Government will launch a new train service from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake to Colombo for tourists visiting the country for Videocon IIFA Weekened and Micromax IIFA Awards. Some Indian artistes visiting Sri Lanka will travel on the maiden journey to boost the project.

Luxury vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and BMW automobiles will transport the stars and VVIPs to the venues. Around 65 luxury vehicles have been allocated after the IIFA team placed an advertisement in the papers. Some have been lent by owners free of charge. Cars, vans, buses and luggage vans have also been issued by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) free of charge.

Cinnamon Grand, Hilton, Cinnamon Lakeside, Taj Samudra and Galadari will be provided accommodation for artistes and visitors who will be in Sri Lanka.

Read the rest of this story »

The Sri Lanka Railways will resort to drastic action against unauthorised trenching by Local Government Authorities on both sides of the rail tracks, Commercial Superintendent, Wijaya Samarasinghe, said yesterday.

The signal cables have been laid underground a distance of two metres off the rail track connecting the signal system.

“There had been instances where the signal system had been damaged due to unauthorised trenching by various people.”

“Certain local government authorities and individuals have damaged the signal cable by trenching on either sides of the track by means of back hoe and if there is any trenching necessary it should be done by keeping the railway officials informed and under their supervision,” he said.

If trenching continues, legal action will be taken against offenders, he said.

SourcE: The island

The compartments of the Trincomalee night mail train and its break system were severely damaged when a train engine collided with the compartments at the Trincomalee station yesterday evening.

According to Railways officials, the engine of the Trinco night mail train was detached to be fixed to the rear of the line of compartments.

However, the shunting driver has brought the particular engine on the same line which caused the collision.

He said the driver was interdicted and the department officials are investigating into how this accident occurred.

Source: Dailynews
picture: lankadeepa

Money could have been saved if local expertise used

The development of the Northern railway line from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai (KKS), which has been entrusted to an Indian contractor, could be completed at a much lower rate if the government utilised the services of local expertise. Sri Lanka possess the necessary qualified personnel to attend to this work and the government could have saved a lot of money.

This view was expressed not only by the Organisation for Protection of the Properties and the Rights of Railway Employees (OPPRRE), but also a section of the Tamil population in the Northern Province. Even the development of the Southern track between Galle and Matara has been handed over to Indian contractors.

“Millions of rupees were collected from the general public for the development of the Northern line. Even some mercantile firms donated large sums for this project. How much was finally collected and where is it? Was one of the questions posed by Sumathipala Manawadu of the OPPRRE.

Read the rest of this story »

A special train service to cater to pilgrims visiting Anuradhapura and Kalutara during the Vesak festival will be launched by the Railway Department from Fort and Maradana stations on May 26 and 27.

A department spokesman said a special train will leave Fort at 1.25 p.m. on May 26 and reach Anuradhapura at 6.02 p.m. A train leaving Anuradhapura at 8.45 a.m. will reach Colombo Fort at 1.40 p.m. A train leaving Maradana at 10 a.m. will reach Kalutara at 12.57 p.m. and a train leaving Kalutara at 11.50 a.m. will reach Maradana at 12.57 p.m.

Apart from this the train service from Maradana to Panadura will be extended up to Kalutara on May 26 and 27. A train leaving Maradana at 4.30 a.m. will reach Kalutara South at 5.52 a.m. The same train will leave Kalutara South for Maradana at 6.15 a.m. Train service from Maradana to Wadduwa would also be extended up to Kalutara South on May 26 and 27.

Source : dailynews

The train commuters inconvenienced following heavy torrential rains experienced in many parts of the country during the last few days.

Trains on the main line from Colombo to Kandy were delayed for hours due to the bad weather.

Only one railway track was operative as two railway tracks out of three were inundated. The railway tracks from Hunupitiya to Ragama were under water while one track was merely operated. All trains use the same line.

Thousands of train commuters including office employees had to wait hours in trains near Walpola Railway Station. Many trains were stopped on the same line for two to three hours until the signal were given to move forward.

Read the rest of this story »

A special train service will be operated to transport foreigners from the Bandaranayke International Airport(BIA) in Katunayake to Colombo, says the Railways Department.

“This initiative will commence in line with the upcoming Indian film awards ceremony to be held in the island in June. A special train station will be set up as well for the convenience of tourists,” said P. Wijesekera, General Manager of Railways.

He noted that under this initiative, which is being launched under the instructions of the President, two air-conditioned trains will be brought down.

He noted that as a short term measure, a train already in the possession of the department will be upgraded and used.

Source: Newsfirst.lk