Sri Lanka Railways is in a critical state due to the lack of investment, Minister of Highways, Transport, and Mass Media, Bandula Gunawardena said.
The Minister made these comments during the weekly Cabinet media briefing when questioned about the constant train cancellations and delays experienced by railway passengers.
“The Sri Lanka Railways is in a critical state. To experience an efficient railway service, there needs to be investment. The coastal line railway tracks need to be replaced every five years. Sri Lanka has always received foreign aid for these requirements, as well as for the purchase of passenger coaches, sleepers, and engines,” the Minister explained.
Gunawardena noted that the railway tracks were last upgraded with aid from the Asian Development Bank and India.
“The Northern railway track is being upgraded with Indian loans. We are in talks with the Indian government to obtain 20 railway engines under a concession,” he said.
The Minister stated that Sri Lankan railways will continue to suffer shortcomings until the country’s debt restructuring talks are complete to seek foreign loans for upgrading the ailing railways sector.
“We must be thankful to the staff of Sri Lanka Railways for maintaining services with trains that are at least 50 to 60 years old,” Gunawardena said.
“International support is required for a small economy like Sri Lanka. The government is confident that stalled transport projects will resume once debt restructuring talks are settled,” he added. (Newswire)
