Restoration fast-tracked on damaged Kelani Valley railway line – Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana

On Jun 6, 2024

Media, Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said that the people residing in Kelani Valley have encountered numerous difficulties as a result of the adverse weather conditions and subsequent floods. Particularly, the region encompassing Puwakpitiya in the Avissawella constituency, as well as the surrounding areas of Jaltara in the Kelani Valley, Kaduwela, and Kolonnawa Constituency, have endured significant hardships.

“The Kelani Valley railway line was severely damaged. A situation arose where it was not even possible to reach many provinces. Despite this situation, we have taken steps to run the train somehow. Even now, relief work including soil removal in areas where landslides occurred is continuing”, he said.

The Minister was speaking at the Homagama Development Committee meeting recently.

He said that the Cabinet has decided to delegate the necessary authority to the Road Development Authority, the Railway Department and agencies involved in public transport, directors and engineers of the respective provinces to take necessary urgent measures in connection to the disaster situation,

Special attention was paid by the Homagama Development Committee Chairman and the Media, Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana to provide relief to the people affected by the inclement weather.

The Homagama Divisional secretary and the field officials drew special attention of the Minister on the data obtained and the actions taken on it.

Homagama Divisional Secretary B. A. D. Chinthaka said that about 894 families in the Homagama DS division have been affected by the floods. He said that their houses have been submerged or trapped in the flood. He stated that the Divisional Secretariat has taken steps to continue to provide facilities such as dry rations to the affected people.

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