General Discussion

Renovation of Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa railway line complete in two years

Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 13:15

Irangika Range

The renovation work of the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa railway line which has been suspended for many years due to the conflict will be commenced shortly to facilitate an efficient passenger and goods transportation.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the restoration project will be completed within two years.

Minister De Silva made these remarks during an observation tour in Polonnaruwa Railway station today.

Over 12,000 sleepers are required for the reconstruction of 90 kilometer long railway line between Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa and around 10,000 sleepers have already been brought to the site.

“Currently, trains run on this line at a very low speed of 60km per hour due to many bridges and over 60 culverts. But, trains can speed over 100 km per hour easily after the renovation reducing the time needed to travel passengers between Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa,” said the Minister.

He further said that the encroachment by people on the railway land is a main reason to delay the renovation. Steps will be taken to remove unauthorized occupants according to existing circulars approved by the Cabinet for the eviction of people.

Land surveying and mapping are being conducted currently to acquire lands belonging to the Sri Lanka Railways.

Matara-Beliatta railway extension project

Any serious damage to the loco and the train? Hope SLR would complete the railway lines for upcountry with ballasted concrete asap.

Train services have been disrupted on the upcountry line between kotagala and Hatton due to a derailment when the night mail was traversing through the section. This has taken place over a bridge which is worst case scenario as it has ripped through the sleepers and also metal structural components which holds the bridge. To make matters worse the steam crane which was deployed to assist the situation too had derailed and as a result the control room says that it would take two weeks to resolve the situation.

On a side note did anyone notice what locomotive was deployed with the night mail yesterday. For what I saw it looked like the M2 627, someone please confirm.

Now this project is under bid preparation stage. IRCON proposes they would like to lay a paralel line. But railway department arguing that they don't have a double line form POL-MHO. So the thing will be a rehabilitation from MHO to Omanthai. From Apur to Omanthai also a weak trak.

GoSL once said that it would lay a new track parallel to the old up-to maho thereby making it a double line. None of these happened but they should now seriously consider rebuilding the maho-anuradhapura section as the condition of it is dreadful and deteriorating fast. The jaffna intercity has to take on a harsh beating while doing only around 55-60 on this section.

Does New Railway tracks with ballasted concrete available beyond Anuradhapura to Kankesanturai and Colombo to Maho line?

When is SL gov going to start the renovation for Maho to Anuradhapura line?

All the best to him! Wanindu is a 19 years old leg spinner. Is he all rounder or tail ender?

Great! SL won by 7 wickets. ODI series is now on 1:1. What is the reason the team who bat at first is loosing the game?

Debutant Wanidu Hasaranga picks up a hat-trick
http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lank...y/1107877.html

Lack of team spirit!
Poor motivation
Poor Fitness
Problems of Cricket board .

But talking about the Zimbabwe match. That could be the return for the minister by the team.

FreightLiners

I took these pictures near Atherstone, England. Hope you like them.

Loco in the 1st pic is Class 66 and the locos in the 2nd & 3rd pictures are Class 90

Thanks Dilusha

Guys,

Has anyone watched the SL vs ZIM ODI match yesterday ? shame we couldn't win the first ODI. any idea Why SL couldn't win the match?

First 2 ODIs
Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilake, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Akila Dhananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Asela Guneratne, Amila Aponso, Lahiru Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan

ODI 1 of 5

Fri 30 Jun, 05:30

Galle International Stadium, Galle

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe

Does any know the Sri Lanka Squad for One day series against Zimbabwe?

Please post the discussion relates to Sri Lanka Cricket on this thread.