Vavuniya–Puliyankulam Railway Line: 12 of 14 Level Crossings Illegal; Minister Bimal

12-Nov-2025

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Of the 14 railway level crossings between Vavuniya and Puliyankulam, 12 have been constructed illegally. 

Owing to these unauthorised crossings, trains that are required to operate at 100 km/h between Mahawa and Omanthai are unable to maintain the stipulated speed, according to Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake.

He made these remarks in Parliament on November 10 during the oral question session, responding to questions raised by ITAK MP Padmanathan Sathiyalingam regarding level crossings along the northern railway line.

MP Sathiyalingam had asked about the unusable condition of several level crossings between Vavuniya and Kilinochchi, the severe damage to crossings in the Vavuniya–Puliyankulam areas, and the measures that would be taken to ensure public safety at these locations.

In response, Minister Ratnayake stated that only the illegally built crossings are in a damaged condition. He noted that these crossings have been identified for complete removal. The authorised level crossings remain in good condition.

Of the 14 crossings between Vavuniya and Puliyankulam, only two are maintained by the police. The remaining illegal crossings are not maintained by the Railways Department, which cannot take responsibility 

for them, as they were constructed locally by residents using stones.

With the Mahawa–Omanthai railway line having been rehabilitated, trains can operate at 100 km/h, but unsafe crossings prevent trains from running at this speed. Therefore, the unauthorised crossings must be removed.

However, he stressed the need to ensure transport convenience for residents. He said that parallel access roads may be provided to connect communities to the nearest safe crossing, and that overpasses could also be constructed where appropriate.