The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Railways over its progress related to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project and the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project. 

The view was disclosed during a review of the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries held in Parliament recently (11), under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar.

The Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting.

According to a Parliament statement, attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways.

For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.

The Committee further reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory.

Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation, which ultimately lead to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses.

It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data.

Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector.

The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified.

Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. (Newswire)

The post Committee criticizes Railways over delays in key projects appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways yesterday formalized the font used for its nameboards during the launch of renovation work at Maradana Railway Station. 

The font, named Ruhunu Kumari, was officially published and presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake at the event.

The Maradana Railway Station is one of the oldest and most historically significant railway stations located in the city of Colombo.

The renovation project is being carried out under the “Dream Destination” initiative, aimed at improving facilities for railway passengers. 

Among the railway stations in the Colombo District, Maradana is the second largest. (Newswire)

The post Long-used Railways font officially named as ‘Ruhunu Kumari’ appeared first on Newswire.

Cabinet approval has been granted for the removal of Dhammika Jayasundara from his position as the General Manager of Railways.

The approval has been granted after Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake recently submitted a special proposal to the Cabinet requesting Jayasundara’s removal from the post.

The Railway General Manager has repeatedly come under criticism from Minister Ratnayake due to shortcomings in railway operations and inefficiencies within the department.

It is reported that, citing the failure to provide effective solutions to these ongoing issues, the Minister requested Jayasundara to step down from his position.

However, as Jayasundara had not resigned voluntarily, the Minister submitted a proposal to the Cabinet two weeks ago seeking formal approval for his removal.

That proposal received approval during the Cabinet meeting convened yesterday. (Newswire)

The post Cabinet approves removal of Railway GM Dhammika Jayasundara appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has launched a mandatory identification verification system for train ticket reservations.

Per the new system, all Sri Lankan passengers must provide their National Identity Card (NIC) number and foreign nationals must provide their passport number when booking train seats online or at counters.

Locals and foreigners are required to provide original documents for verification during boarding and ticket checks.

The policy applies exclusively to reserved seats on intercity, long-distance, and premium train services across all routes, while unreserved ticket purchases remain unaffected by this requirement. 

The new system is designed to eliminate illegal resale activities and stop black market sales that were inflating prices, particularly on popular tourist routes like Kandy-Ella. (Newswire)

The post Booking Train tickets : Mandatory identification verification system launched appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka’s Railway Department conducted an inspection of the CCTV camera system installed along key railway routes to prevent wild elephants from colliding with trains.

Railway General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara, along with senior officials from the department, participated in the inspection tour conducted yesterday (10 Aug).

This camera system was set up about two months ago near the Abanpola–Kasikote railway tunnel, where elephants often cross, as well as in areas like Gal Oya and Minneriya, which are known for frequent elephant-train collisions.

The system operates 24 hours a day and is powered by solar panels. 

Based on the footage captured by the cameras, a GPS-based alert system has been implemented to send signals to the main railway operations centre in Anuradhapura when elephants are detected near the tracks.

Train drivers are then notified in real-time about elephant presence on the tracks, allowing them to take precautionary measures.

During the visit, Railway General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara stated that installing a single camera costs approximately Rs. 20,000. 

He added that if donors are willing to contribute, the department could expand the system by installing more cameras in areas with high elephant activity along railway lines. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka Railways turns to solar-powered cameras to protect elephants appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has instructed all Railway Station Masters and Railway Controllers to report to their respective railway stations or the nearest railway station on or before 12 noon today. 

The General Manager of Railways, S.S. Mudalige warned that Railway Station Masters and Railway Controllers who fail to heed the order will be considered to have vacated their service. 

The ultimatum comes as Railway Station Masters and Railway Controllers are engaged in a trade union action over several grievances, including promotions. 

Several train services were cancelled and limited trains were in operation today due to the strike action, severely inconveniencing the public. 

The trade union action is being carried out despite the government having declared public transportation, including railway services, as essential services. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Army has been deployed to assist the Police in providing security to railway stations amid the ongoing trade union action. 

Sri Lanka Army officers have been deployed at 45 railway stations, including Kandy, Matale, Peradeniya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Hatton, Kotagala, Nanuoya, Ambewala, Puttalam, Chilaw, Alawwa, Polgahawela, and Kurunegala. (Newswire)

The post Report to work by 12 or get sacked – Govt warning appeared first on Newswire.

Indian Railways reported a record freight loading of 135.46 million tonnes (MT) in June 2024, marking an increase of 12.40 MT compared to the same period last year.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Railways, this growth represents a robust improvement of approximately 10.07 per cent year-on-year, highlighting the railways’ enhanced operational efficiency and increased demand for freight services.

Financially, Indian Railways also recorded substantial earnings from freight operations during June 2024.

The revenue generated amounted to Rs 14,798.11 crore, which reflects a notable increase of Rs 1,481.29 crore or 11.12 per cent compared to the earnings of Rs 13,316.81 Crore in June 2023. This financial achievement underscores the railways’ pivotal role in India’s logistics sector and its contribution to the national economy.

During June 2024, Indian Railways demonstrated its robust logistical capabilities by efficiently handling a diverse array of freight categories, each contributing significantly to the railways’ record-breaking performance, read the press release.

Coal shipments led the tally with 60.27 million tonnes (MT), excluding imported coal, highlighting the railways’ pivotal role in fuel transportation for various industries.

Imported coal followed closely with 8.82 MT, underscoring India’s reliance on global energy resources.

Iron ore transportation amounted to 15.07 MT, emphasizing Indian Railways’ crucial support to the mining and steel sectors.

The transportation of pig iron and finished steel reached 5.36 MT, indicating substantial movement within the manufacturing and construction industries.

Cement shipments, excluding clinker, totalled 7.56 MT, supporting infrastructure development across the country, read the press release.

Additionally, Indian Railways transported 5.28 MT of clinker, essential for cement production, and 4.21 MT of foodgrains, contributing to food security initiatives.

The transportation of fertilizers amounted to 5.30 MT, facilitating agricultural productivity. Mineral oil shipments totalled 4.18 MT, crucial for various industrial and consumer applications.

Containers handled by Indian Railways reached 6.97 MT, underscoring its role in facilitating efficient and cost-effective intermodal transportation.

Lastly, other goods, totalling 10.06 MT, encompassed a diverse range of commodities, further highlighting the railways’ comprehensive logistical capabilities across different sectors.

Adhering to the motto “Hungry For Cargo,” Indian Railways has continuously strived to enhance business efficiency and deliver services at competitive rates, read the press release.

This customer-centric approach, combined with the proactive efforts of its Business Development Units and agile policy-making, has been instrumental in driving the railways towards this notable accomplishment. (ANI)

The post Indian Railways achieve 135.46 MT freight loading, earns Rs 14,798.11 cr in June 2024 appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has launched an inquiry at a departmental level into the misconduct of the driver of the train operated from Colombo to Kandy on June 30.

According to the Railway Department, the train driver has been suspended from service following the incident.

It is reported that the engine driver had been heavily intoxicated and behaved in an unruly manner soon after the train from Colombo to Kandy commenced its journey at 10.45 am on Sunday.

The engine driver is said to have stopped the train in the Sudhumpola area near Kandy and attempted to leave when passengers chased him and brought him back to the train.

The Assistant engine driver later operated the train until the Kandy Station. The intoxicated engine driver was handed over to the Railway Security Division by the Railway Transport Inspector.

The train which was scheduled to arrive at the Kandy Station at 1.40 pm had reached only at 2.30 pm due to the actions of the intoxicated engine driver. (Newswire)

The post Drunken train driver : SL Railways responds appeared first on Newswire.

The contract for Design, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Signalling system for Sri Lanka Railways from Maho to Anuradhapura (66 km) was signed on Thursday (Sep 21). 

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the agreement was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka and IRCON Ltd in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka, Dr. Bandula Gunawardane and the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay. 

Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, Senthil Thondaman; State Minister of Highways of Sri Lanka, Siripala Gamalath; senior officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport and Highways, Sri Lankan Railways and IRCON Ltd were also present during the signing event. 

The Indian High Commission stated that the mentioned project is being executed under an Indian Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 318 million at a cost of USD 14.90 million.

In his remarks at the event, the High Commissioner stressed the significance of the Signalling project for easing movement of the people of Sri Lanka, accelerating economic recovery of the country and strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted that the LOC for this project in the current situation, symbolises the continued desire of the Government and the people of India to stand with the people of Sri Lanka. 

The Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Bandula Gunawardane thanked the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Government of India for supporting Sri Lanka in multiple ways, especially during the economic crisis last year. It was also pointed out that Sri Lankan railway projects have received support in the form of LOCs in recent times only from India.

Projects of over USD 1 billion in the Railway sector have been completed under 5 Indian LOCs till date. IRCON Ltd, which started its operations in Sri Lanka in March 2009, has completed several projects in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance and has contributed significantly towards rehabilitation and modernization of Sri Lanka Railways, capacity building and employment generation.

At present, IRCON Ltd is undertaking a project for upgradation of the Railway Line including track Rehabilitation and ancillary works from Maho to Omanthai (128 km) at a cost of USD 91.27 million. Under this project, while track rehabilitation work from Anuradhapura to Omanthai has already been completed, work on the section from Anuradhapura to Maho will commence from January 2024. (NewsWire)

The post India continues to support SL railway projects appeared first on Newswire.