Improving railway reliability depends not only on trains and tracks but also on the efficiency of maintenance operations. As part of efforts to modernise railway infrastructure, Sri Lanka Railways has imported new heavy-duty equipment for its upcoming maintenance facility in Ratmalana.
The department has received five crane systems from Finland for the new railway workshop being developed at the Ratmalana railway yard under the Colombo Suburban Railway Project.
The project is being implemented with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is expected to strengthen the railway sector’s maintenance capabilities.
New Equipment for Ratmalana Workshop
According to Sri Lanka Railways, the imported crane systems are valued at US$1,352,342.73.
The shipment includes:
- Two electrically operated double-girder overhead travelling cranes with a lifting capacity of 50 tonnes each
- Two 15-tonne cranes for lifting locomotives, engines and bogies
- One 10-tonne crane
The equipment will be installed at the new workshop currently under construction at the Ratmalana railway yard.
Faster Maintenance Operations
Railway officials expect the new systems to reduce the time required for locomotive and bogie maintenance.
Heavy lifting operations are a critical part of railway workshop activities. The new cranes will allow maintenance teams to handle locomotives and major components more efficiently.
As a result, the department expects improved workflow and reduced downtime for railway assets.
Supporting Railway Modernisation
The investment forms part of broader efforts to modernise railway infrastructure and improve operational performance.
Sri Lanka Railways stated that locomotive maintenance activities at the new Ratmalana workshop are expected to commence later this year after the crane systems are installed and commissioned.
The new facility is expected to strengthen technical capacity while supporting the long-term maintenance requirements of the railway network.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ministerial Update
Last modified: June 23, 2026
