Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Services says plans are underway to introduce an electric train service by year 2020, marking another step forward in Sri Lankan railways. 

The Asian Development Board has agreed to release a grant under a concessionary basis for the project. It has been planned after considering the passenger requirements by year 2035.

Under the 1st phase an electric train service will be introduced from Veyangoda to Panadura, Veyangoda to Polgahawela and Ragama to Negombo. Attention has also been focused on commencing an electric train service along the Kelani Valley railway track from Maradana to Homagama.

The railway track will be renovated allowing the trains to travel at a speed of 100 kilo meters per hour. Establishing of signals posts, introducing an automated brake system for trains and building four new train stations will also be carried out. Furthermore 3 railway tracks will be built from Colombo Fort to Panadura while four railway tracks are to be built from Maradana to Ragama and two from Maradana to Homagama.

Planning and designing activities of the project will commence next year. The ministry of Transport hopes to commence construction by December next year. Director of the project Palitha Samarasinghe says the total estimated cost for the project is 625 million US dollars.