Railway Infrastructure Repairs Estimated at USD 400 Million: Essential Services Commissioner General

17-Dec-2025

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Essential Services Commissioner General, Prabath Sanrakeerthi, stated that rebuilding the railway roads damaged by landslides and floods could cost up to $400 million.

He explained that 293 roads under the Road Development Authority were damaged to the point of being unusable due to the disasters. 

Currently, 292 of these roads have been rebuilt and reopened for traffic. About 40 bridges were also damaged; 20 have been reconstructed but remain temporary.

It will take time to fully restore all 40 bridges, and actions have been initiated by the Road Development Authority. Aid from foreign countries is expected for the reconstruction of these bridges.

Similarly, several damaged railway roads have been rebuilt and reopened for traffic. However, railway traffic to Jaffna is currently limited to Nattandiya, and for the central hill country, traffic runs only to Polgahawela.

The department estimates that rebuilding the railway roads and restoring normalcy will cost around $400 million.