Plan to Launch Colombo Suburban Electric Rail Service Next Year

01-May-2026

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A discussion on modernising railway services in the Colombo suburban areas and related project plans was held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways on April 29 at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, the Colombo Suburban Railway Project was reviewed in detail. Under the first phase of the project, it is proposed to operate services along the Kelani Valley line from Maradana to Makumbura, along the Main Line from Colombo Fort to Ragama, and along the Coastal Line from Colombo Fort to Panadura.

The discussion also focused on securing funding and the challenges likely to be faced during implementation.

Plans were also discussed to introduce electric train services parallel to the existing railway system and to reconstruct railway tracks by replacing the current broad gauge system with standard gauge tracks.

It was decided to commence this programme early next year.

Those present included Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, along with senior officials from the Finance and Transport ministries.