December 22, Colombo (LNW): Train operations across Sri Lanka are steadily returning to normal in the aftermath of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, with authorities confirming that close to 70 per cent of the rail network is now functioning again.
Figures issued by the Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services show that passenger trains are currently running on approximately 1,098 kilometres of track as of December 22.
This represents around 69 per cent of the country’s total railway system, which spans 1,593 kilometres.
Several major routes have already been brought back into service, including large sections of the Northern Line extending to Kankesanthurai, the Southern Line linking Colombo with Matara and Beliatta, as well as selected routes in the Eastern and North Central regions. Officials said priority was given to lines serving high passenger demand and key economic centres.
Despite this progress, a number of rail sections remain closed due to damage caused by the storm. Services are yet to resume on routes connecting areas such as Mannar, Puttalam, Batticaloa and Kandy, along with parts of the hill country line. Repair teams are continuing restoration work, and authorities have indicated that further sections will be reopened in stages as safety checks and repairs are completed.
