Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana opens renovated Railway Line from Anuradhapura to Omanthai

Recommencing the train journeys to Jaffna.

The renovated section from Anuradhapura to Omanthai on the northern railway line was officially opened by Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana Thursday (13).
At an event held at the Anuradhapura railway station to mark the occasion, the Minister planted a rare Pandu Karanda plant.

Pandu Karanda plants were planted at the Kilinochchi and Jaffna Railway Stations as well.
The train started its journey from Anuradhapura to Jaffna after traditional Hindu rituals at the centre of the modernised railway line at the Anuradhapura Railway Station.

“Train journeys from Jaffna to Colombo, which were stopped for a short time due to development activities, will resume as usual from the June 15. We have also made arrangements to start a new luxury night tourist train from Colombo to Jaffna from August 1 to promote the growing tourism business in Jaffna for the convenience of the devotees visiting the area,” the Minister said.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, Parliamentarians Jayantha Ketagoda, Ishak Rahuman, Consular General of the Indian High Commission and other officials, Railway General Manager W.D.S. Gunasinghe and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Lalith De Alwis were present.