Special train ‘Yal Nila’ to KKS from August 4

A new special express train named “Yal Nila Odyssey” will ply to Kankesanthurai from Mount Lavinia from August 4 on Fridays and Sundays.

Transport and Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardhana said yesterday (25) at the press conference held at the Government Information Department that this train, which is a weekend train, begins at 10 pm on Fridays from the Mount Lavinia station and will reach Kankesanthurai at 5.52 am the next day.

Also, the train that starts from Kankesanthurai at 9.30 pm on Friday will reach Colombo Fort at 5.09 am the next day and Mount Lavinia by 5.36 am.The Minister stated that since the train was started coinciding the Nallur festival they are able to provide an efficient service to foreign and local tourists.

Passengers will be charged Rs.4,000 for a first class seat, Rs.3000 for a second class seat and Rs.2000 for a third class seat. The railway stations where the train will stop at are Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala, Wellawatta, Bambalapitiya, Colombo Fort, Gampaha, Veyangoda, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Kondavil, Chundikuli and Kankesanthurai. The minister said that since the renovation works of the railways to Anuradhapura and Mahawa will be restarted in December this year, this train service will only operate until December.

The Minister further said that this will bring convenience to tourists as well as significant income to the railway department.

Railway General Manager W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe and Railway Department officials also joined this occation.