Railway lines across Sri Lanka have suffered severe damage due to landslides and flooding caused by the prevailing disaster situation, authorities said.
Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake visited the “Balana” section of the Upcountry railway line to inspect damage caused by ground subsidence at several locations, which has disrupted rail services in the area.
Officials said multiple sections of the track have been affected due to land slips, and restoration work will commence once an assessment report is received from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).
During the visit, the minister held discussions with local residents and officials on interim measures to ensure uninterrupted transportation for communities while repair work is underway.
The minister has instructed the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to deploy an additional bus service from Galaha to Kandy via the Galaha–Nuwara road to facilitate public transport until the railway line is fully restored.
Authorities said efforts are being made to restore damaged railway sections at the earliest possible time, while ensuring safety standards are met before resuming train operations. (Newswire)
