Renovation work officially commenced at the historic Colombo Fort Railway Station today (09), marking the beginning of a modernization program under the Colombo Suburban Railway Project (CSRP). 

The initiative aims to preserve the station’s 109‑year heritage while introducing modern passenger facilities.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Prasanna Gunesena, said the project will be completed within 15 months at a cost of Rs. 2,162.64 million, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government. 

He further said that the upgrades will enhance passenger convenience while safeguarding the station’s archaeological value.

Key developments in the first phase include:

• Construction of modern passenger bridges with elevators and escalators, replacing the old bridges at Maradana and Slave Island ends.
• A new three‑storey service building to meet passenger needs.
• Extended access facilities, including the overhead bridge across Olcott Mawatha, connected up to McCallum Road near Sampath Bank.
• Introduction of digital technology with E‑Gate facilities to streamline entry and exit.

Deputy Minister Gunesena assured that all construction will be carried out with minimal disruption to daily train operations. (Newswire)

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The renovation of the Colombo Central Bus Stand in Pettah commenced this morning under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

It is reported that this marks the first major upgrade to the facility since its construction in 1964.

The Pettah Central bus stand is being renovated under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national programme at an estimated cost of Rs. 425 million.

The work will be conducted with the direct labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the support and cooperation of the Colombo Municipal Council, Lanka Electricity Board, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, and other institutions. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced that its Central Bus Terminal in Colombo will be closed for a period of 10 months starting tomorrow (11), due to renovation work. 

SLTB Deputy General Manager P.H.R.T. Chandrasiri said until the completion of these renovations, SLTB buses will operate from Pettah, Bodhiraja Mawatha, Gunasinghapura, and Bastiyan Mawatha.

Speaking to the media, he further said that the renovation work during this period will be carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Chandrasiri said long-distance buses, including those under the integrated timetable, will operate from the Bastian Mawatha bus depot, while the other short-distance buses will operate from Bodhiraja Mawatha. 

Also addressing the media, SLTB Deputy General Manager Indika Chandimal said that the renovations are taking place under the government’s Clean Sri Lanka national programme.

He further said that the renovation programme will be officially launched under the aegis of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on September 15.

Indika Chandimal said that nearly Rs. 540 million has been allocated under the Clean Sri Lanka programme for this project, which is expected to be completed within a year. (Newswire)

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Large-scale renovations have commenced at the Parliament of Sri Lanka, after four decades

According to a Parliament statement, renovations of the Sri Lanka Parliamentary Complex are taking place after a period of more than 42 years.

The renovation work is being carried out under Cabinet approval and on the instructions of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Accordingly, work is currently underway to remove the soil layer on the concrete roof terrace of the Parliamentary Complex and carry out repairs. 

In addition, renovations are being done to the roof gutters, copper door, Parliament Medical Centre, washrooms, and Members’ Dressing Room.

Previously, minor maintenance work of the Parliamentary Complex was carried out by the Engineering Department. 

However, the large-scale renovations are being carried out with the labour contribution of the Sri Lankan Army. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the renovation of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex according to international standards. 

The Sugathadasa National Sports Complex is an internationally recognized sports complex that provides class 1 sports facilities.

It is the only sports complex in Sri Lanka consisting of 400-meter, 200-meter, and 80-meter artificial tracks with all the facilities according to international standards. 

The artificial track was resurfaced in 2018, but as there are many cracks in it at present, the Sri Lanka Athletics Association has reported that it is unsuitable for national-level sports. 

As such, the renovation of this track according to international standards has been identified as a national priority with the objective of providing the required facilities for sending Sri Lankan athletes to national and international competitions. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Sports to perform functions such as resurfacing the tracks, preparing the football ground, installation of time machines, and renovating lighting towers following a prescribed procurement procedure. (Newswire)

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The Central Expressway will undergo renovations for a period of 14 days, starting today (Mar 14), the Police said. 

According to the Police, the Road Development Authority (RDA) will carry out renovations from the 56.9 KM post to the 57.4 KM post on the Mirigama – Kurunegala stretch of the expressway.

Special road plans have been made for motorists using the Central Expressway, with motorists travelling from Mirigama to Kurunegala advised to use the emergency exit prior to the 56.2 km post.

Those travelling from Kurunegala to Mirigama have been advised to travel on the right lane of the expressway passing the 57.4 km post, and thereafter using the emergency exit to return to their preferred lane and travel to Kurunegala. 

During the period of renovations on the Central Expressway arrangements have been made for motorists to use only one lane. (NewsWire)

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