A new rail track-laying site has opened near Ratmalana railway station as authorities work to speed up repairs on the coastal railway line.
The site will support the wider project to renovate the dual-track section between Panadura and Kompannavidiya.
The Ministry of Transport said the move should help reduce maintenance delays and make train travel more convenient for passengers.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena inspected the new site on August 31. He reviewed the work and discussed operational issues with officials.
Why Ratmalana matters
The coastal railway line, known as No. 8, regularly needs repairs because salt in the coastal environment causes corrosion and damages the tracks.
At present, the Railway Department has track-laying sites at Ragama and Horape.
Adding Ratmalana gives railway crews another location from which they can prepare and lay tracks. This can help shorten the time needed for repair work on the coastal line.
The ministry said the faster process should also help reduce the time trains are affected by maintenance work.
10,000 tracks imported from China
The Ratmalana site is using part of 10,000 railway tracks imported from China under the wider railway modernisation programme.
Authorities want to use the available tracks to support ongoing repair and upgrade work.
Faster track laying should help the department maintain the required speed limits and reduce disruption while repairs take place.
The project also forms part of the wider effort to improve the Panadura–Kompannavidiya dual railway line.
For passengers using the coastal route, the immediate goal is simple: complete track repairs faster, reduce downtime and keep more of the railway line operating smoothly.
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Last modified: September 1, 2026
