Peradeniya Bridge Nears Completion

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Railways says efforts are underway to restore the country’s railway network, with key infrastructure projects progressing despite significant challenges.

Priyantha Deegala, Chief Engineer of Sri Lanka Railways, outlined the latest developments noting that Sri Lanka Railways expect to complete the Peradeniya bridge within the next four to five months and finish all work before the end of this year. Operations up to Kandy on the Upcountry line will definitely resume soon.

The more challenging sections are the Matale line and the stretch from Gampola to Nawalapitiya, as these areas are difficult to access and not connected to the main road network. 

As a result, progress is slower as work must be completed section by section.

"We hope to restore the full line up to Badulla by mid-2027. Constructing a new railway line from scratch would have been easier, but now we are dealing with rebuilding an old line," he noted.

"On sections like Wattegama to Ukuwela, covering about three to four kilometres, the terrain poses significant challenges. Previously, these areas were built without proper earth-retaining structures. Now, we are redesigning them using modern engineering methods to ensure the line remains stable for the next 100 years, minimizing the risk of landslides,” he added.