Sri Lanka has opened a third rail track laying site near Ratmalana railway station to speed up modernization work on the coastal railway line, which has been plagued by salt corrosion damage.
The Ministry of Transport has established a new track laying facility at Ratmalana railway station as part of broader efforts to renovate Sri Lanka's coastal railway infrastructure. The facility is intended to expedite the replacement and maintenance of the dual track section stretching from Panadura to Kompannavidiya, with the goal of reducing service interruptions and enhancing passenger experiences.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena visited the site on August 31st to assess progress and address operational challenges. The project utilizes a portion of 10,000 railway tracks sourced from China as part of the country's railway modernization initiative. The coastal railway has faced ongoing difficulties with salt corrosion damage, necessitating regular maintenance and repairs that have disrupted service.
The addition of the Ratmalana facility expands the country's track laying capacity significantly, as the Railway Department previously operated only two such sites at Ragama and Horape. Officials believe the new location will enable faster completion of maintenance work while minimizing passenger inconvenience and ensuring compliance with appropriate speed regulations. The Ministry characterized the development as a meaningful advancement in strengthening Sri Lanka's transport infrastructure.