The Government of India has released the first payment of approximately USD 2.5 million (LKR 770 million) for a major signalling and telecommunication project on Sri Lanka’s Maho–Anuradhapura railway line, further deepening bilateral cooperation in the transport sector.
The project was jointly inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the President’s visit to India in April 2025. Originally planned under a Line of Credit, the initiative was later converted into a full grant during the President’s State Visit to New Delhi in December 2024.
The project is being implemented by Ircon International Ltd, a leading Indian public sector undertaking, and is expected to be completed by August 2026.
The new system will enable real-time tracking of train movements, centralized monitoring from a modern control centre, and improve both safety and efficiency by allowing simultaneous train operations at stations. The move is also expected to significantly reduce delays and enhance the frequency of services.
The initiative forms part of India’s broader commitment to Sri Lanka’s railway development, with cumulative assistance reaching around USD 1.2 billion. India has supported the rehabilitation of nearly 500 km of track and signalling systems across 400 km of Sri Lanka’s rail network, along with the supply of rolling stock including locomotives and coaches.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo said the project underscores India’s human-centric development partnership and long-term commitment to improving connectivity and infrastructure in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)