Northern Railway Line operational after 6 months

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Department of Railways has reopened the Anuradhapura-Omanthai stretch of the Northern Railway Line, following the conclusion of its construction activities which took place over a span of six months. 

The railway line between Anuradhapura-Omanthai which has a distance of 62 km was repaired with the aid of Indian loans and the amount spent was Rs. 33bn.

The railway department stated that with the reconstruction of the railway line, trains will be able to run at a speed of 100 kmph.

The Department also announces that the Jaffna Colombo train seat reservation service has been resumed.

Deputy General Manager (Traffic) of the Department of Railways M. J. Indipolage says that following the reopening of the Northern Railway Line, the Yal Devi train commenced its journey from Mount Lavinia to Sammanthurai at 5.10 am on Saturday, and that the Uththara Devi train will commence its journey from Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai at 11.50 am. 

He adds that the night postal train is also scheduled to commence its journey from Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai, at 8 pm. The Deputy General Manager (Traffic) says that a train is also due to leave Kankasanthurai at 1.40 pm on Saturday (15). 

Arrangements have also been made for a postal train to depart from Kankasanthurai at 7 pm. 

He adds that starting from the 16th of July, train journeys from Kankasanthurai to Colombo Fort will commence at 5.40 am. 

Accordingly, a total of 6 train journeys, 3 trains from Colombo Fort and Mount Lavinia and  3 from Kankasanthurai to Colombo have been scheduled.