Sri Lanka - 2.4 Railway Assessment
Source: https://www.csrp.lk/about-us.php
Overview
Operating as a government department under the Ministry of Transport, Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) serves as a major transport service provider and is the sole rail transport organization in the country. SLR transports both passenger and freight. At its inception, railway was carrying more freight than passenger. But today, it is passenger oriented. SLR’s market share for passenger transport is about 6.0% and a mere 0.7% for goods transport. (Sri Lanka Railways, 2023) Railway mainly handles bulk cargo types and constitutes an insignificant portion of Sri Lanka’s overall goods transportation, as goods transport in the country relies heavily on roads.
SLR operates approximately 396 trains which include 67 Long-Distance and 16 Intercity trains and carries about 3.72 million passengers daily. The department also owns and maintains 1,561km of rail tracks, 72 locomotives, 78 power sets, 565 carriages and the signaling network. At present, SLR has a workforce of 17,634. (Sri Lanka Railways, 2023)
Sri Lanka’s railway transport has been plagued by a series of problems today, including persistent financial deficits, aging infrastructure, an outdated rail network signaling and telecommunication system, a lack of technology, and trade union strikes. This in turn has resulted in high unreliability, poor punctuality, deteriorated quality and increasing safety risks.
Nonetheless, a host of steps have been taken to provide an efficient and economic railway transport service to the public. The Government of Sri Lanka is implementing the Colombo Suburban Railway Project (CRSP) under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop the road network on the four main railway lines (the Coastal, Kelani Valley, Puttalam and the Main Line) that cover the Colombo suburban area. Additionally, the Railway Efficiency Improvement Project, which is also funded by ADB, aims to enhance the railway network's efficiency by addressing operational bottlenecks through modernizing telecommunications, ticketing, headquarters, and train control systems. Additionally, as part of the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, a programme is being implemented to promote bulk freight by rail
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List
Travel Time Matrix
For the real-time updated timetable, please refer to the following link:
https://eservices.railway.gov.lk/schedule/homeAction.action?lang=en.
Railway Companies and Consortia
Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) functions under the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport.
For more information on railway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Railway Companies Contact List
Transporting Goods using Railway Goods Wagons
To apply for goods transportation service using wagons, go to this link for details: http://www.railway.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/transporting_goods_using_railway_goods_wagons.pdf
For information on Sri Lanka Railway Network additional information, please see the following document: Sri Lanka Railway Network Additional Information
Key Route Information
Standard Route Information
|
Main Line
Colombo Fort – Badulla |
Coastal Line
Colombo Fort – Beliatta |
Matale Line
Peradeniya Junction – Matale |
Puttalam Line
Ragama Junction – Periyanagavillu |
Kelani Valley Line
Maradana – Avissawella |
Trincomalee Line
Gal Oya – Trincomalee |
Northern Line
Polgahawela Junction –Kankesanthurai |
Mannar Line
Medawachchiya – Talaimannar |
Batticaloa Line
Maho Junction – Batticaloa |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Track Gauge |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
1,676 mm (5'6") |
|
Ruling Gradient |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total Track Distance (Single or / and Double Track) |
291.6 km, Double Track |
185.17 km, Single and Double |
147.14 km, Single Track |
157.63 km, N/A |
58.98 km, Single Track |
294.08 km, Single Track |
410.3 km, N/A |
334.8 km, Single Track |
347.26 km, Single Track |
|
Type of Rail |
Intercity Rail |
Intercity Rail |
Regional Rail |
Intercity Rail |
Regional Rail |
Regional Rail |
Intercity and Regional Rail |
Regional Rail |
Intercity and Regional Rail |
|
Type of Sleeper and Fastenings |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total Track Travel Time |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Maintenance |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Companies / Consortiums Operating on Line |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Traffic Frequency |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
Daily |
|
Security |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
|
Main Stations |
Colombo Fort; Badulla |
Colombo Fort; Beliatta |
Peradeniya Junction; Matale |
Ragama Junction; Periyanagavillu |
Maradana; Avissawella |
Gal Oya; Trincomalee |
Polgahawela Junction; Kankesanthurai |
Medawachchiya; Talaimannar |
Maho Junction; Batticaloa |