The Department of Railways has imported 10,000 new rails from China to address deteriorating conditions on the Coastal Railway Line, with work expected to take six months and cost approximately Rs. 2 billion.

Sri Lanka's railway infrastructure is set for a major upgrade following the arrival of 10,000 imported rails from China, according to the Department of Railways. The shipment was scheduled to be released from port and will form part of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme targeting the country's ageing rail network.

Approximately half of the imported rails will be deployed along the Coastal Line, where multiple speed restrictions are currently enforced. The Department plans to replace existing rails at around 50 locations spanning the route between Colombo Fort and Panadura. This targeted intervention aims to address chronic maintenance issues affecting the frequently used corridor.

The rehabilitation initiative extends beyond rail replacement, with the Department indicating that concurrent work will focus on the construction and renovation of railway bridges. Officials estimate the entire project will require approximately six months for completion, with an investment of nearly Rs. 2 billion allocated for the rail purchases alone.

The Department of Railways has indicated that upon completion of the rehabilitation work, the project should result in meaningful reductions in daily train delays on the Coastal Railway Line. The infrastructure improvements represent a significant effort to enhance the reliability and operational efficiency of this critical transport corridor.