Investment sought from four countries for Electrification of Kelani valley rail track

By Kelum Bandara  

Sri Lanka has sought financial cooperation from four countries - India, China, Russia and Belarus - for electrification of the Kelani valley rail line from Colombo to Avissawella but no one has come up with any concrete investment proposal yet, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said.  

The Minister told Daily Mirror that he intends to develop this rail track under the Build Own Operate (BOO) and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) systems.  

“I have remained engaged with the authorities with these countries seeking investments to develop the railway line to operate electric trains for the first time in Sri Lanka. I am yet to get any response,” he said.   

The track was originally developed during the British period. Currently, trains operate only up to Avissawella.   

• No concrete investment proposal as yet
• Rail track to be developed under BOO and BOT systems