A massive increase in Train Commuters – Kumara Welgama

The Railways Department has introduced several new train services to facilitate the commuters in their day to day activities and undertake leisure and other trips. These include Matara-Colombo and Matara-Vavuniya weekend services and daily services to Colombo- Nanu Oya, Kalutara- Negombo, Colombo-Veyangoda and Colombo-Hikkaduwa services.  A new office train service from Kurunegala to Colombo was introduced today.

This was stated by the Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama addressing a media conference held in the Information Department this morning. The Minister said that luxury compartments have also been added to Colombo-Kandy, Colombo-Matara and Colombo-Badulla services. He said that train services from Medawacchiya to Thalaimannar via Madu and Omanthai to Kankesanthurai via Palai will be commenced next year and railway line construction work for starting these services are being carried out at present.  

The Minister said that Christian devotees could make their pilgrimage to Madu next year by using the rail services. He said that work related to the extension of the railway line from Matara to Beliatte is also being carried out at present.  

Minister Welgama said that an extensive expansion work has been carried out to expand the rail services by introducing addition train services and in this connection 20 power sets of S11 category and 13 power sets of S12 category and 3 new engines have been added to the service.  The Minister said that due to these measures there has been a significant increase in the number commuters using the train services.  (niz)