High speed train service launched

16 February 2011 06:55 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The first high speed train service in Sri Lanka was launched between Galle and Matara a short while ago. The train service is expected to run at 100 Kmph between the two cities in 38 minutes.

However the Ceylon Government Railways today cautioned the public to be on alert when using railway crossing between Galle and Matara as there were 90 unprotected crossings in the area. (Sadun A. Jayasekara)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 31

citizen Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:51 AM

If someone gets run down at an unguarded rail crossing, this train service will grind to a halt, unless its going to simply carry on regardless ... hasn't govt thought of that? 38 mins?!

dave Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:09 AM

100km/h is high speed? !!!
Also ruhuni kumari only takes 45 minutes to arrive in Matara from Galle. So what's the big difference in time for this "so called high speed train, that arrives in 38 minutes"? Sri Lankans never work on time so to gain 8 minutes, govt had to spend US $10million?
how much of a commission for the powerful brothers?

darren Thursday, 17 February 2011 03:23 AM

Fantastic.This government has done more than all the governments did since independence.The credit must go to Hon.President and his team.

Cobra Thursday, 17 February 2011 03:16 AM

Good but are our ancient railway tracks(Especially outside Galle-Matara) and bridges up to it, is the big question. I for one would not take the risk after all who is in such a mighty hurry????

segu Thursday, 17 February 2011 02:06 AM

if it's 100 km/hr it should take more than one hour to reach colombo from Galle. I wonder how it could be 38 minutes!!!!

Shank Wednesday, 16 February 2011 06:31 PM

a Train going at 40 will give a lot more time for evasive action

Dinithi Wednesday, 16 February 2011 11:49 AM

Guys, currently trains are going at 40 km. It really does not make a difference between getting hit at 40 or 100. You will die. But the cost of protecting crossings is fraction of a cost of building this new railway. Somehow we do not value lives!!

Mazoon Samsudeen Wednesday, 16 February 2011 10:17 AM

U call 100 kmph high speed ???? When are we getting the services we experience in Europe etc.. 200 + kmph ?? Also, when r v going to cordon off the rail track to ensure people don't cross at will? MRT in Colombo ?? Electric trains which will ensure that your spinal code is still in tact after the train ride ??

Rajitha Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:59 AM

then they'll never be able to make the launch.

Dilshan Silva Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:45 AM

High speed trains running with no protection at railway crossing is extremely dangerous as our locals will be near the railway track for curiosity. The biggest question is, are the tracks strong enough to withhold the speed?

Martin Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:36 AM

Dear Citizen, If you visit any other country most railway crossing are unprotected. The driver has to be careful when putting the vehicle across the crossing. The only hindrance to that are the unauthorized structures that are put up along the rail track blocking the view... those must be taken out.. no need to protect the crossings.. it is a huge cost to put them up and maintain them...

Kiri Gamarala Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:41 AM

We are trying to accelerate developmet without getting out of bullock cart age mentality. Still there is no integration of transport planning with human settlement planning andthe result is railway stations at every 2-3 kms in spite of having power sets and engines which can travel faster.

Learn a lesson from Mahaweli towns along Kandy-Mahiyangana Road. Some town centres, which were supposed to be economic centres, are dying because with good highway and faster vehicles the ncessity to stop at evey 5-10 kms doe not arise.

Darwin Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:13 AM

A good idea of the government. They can solve the transport and population problem in one go. The way to go.

Konde bendapu china Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:11 AM

Good Start,lets implement to other areas too

Citizen Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:43 AM

Why can't they protect the "unprotected crossings" first and then launch the high speed train?

sahan Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:36 AM

Shows how stupid who ever implemented this is.... true this is good and should be done..... but.... which moda haraka decided to let the train run before the gates were properly fixed???? its a high speed train for gods sake.....

Abeyratne Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:38 AM

100K/ph is quite slow by developed world standards, Sri Lanka still has a long way to go before becoming the miracle of Asia. Most other countries will also have proper railway crossings and clean modern stations as well.

Raja Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:15 AM

Good achievement but special consideration should have been made to unprotected crossings prior to launching the services.

Ran Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:13 AM

Id so, the australian rail services are also jokes. There are many unprotected crossings here, not only in rural areas. However, should focus on converting them to safe crossings.

Bandula Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:10 AM

Now government eyes opened to get people's poor votes...why only matara and Galle?

Lankapura Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:03 AM

Think safety of People first and then 100kmh. Another typical style of sri lankan attitute, no one thinks about security and safety of people.

malkanthi Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:52 AM

Considering the present scenario, human lives have any value? who cares about them??? some many accidents, tragedies, but who cares??

citizen Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:34 AM

I wonder how many deaths there are at these rail crossings now. It will be interesting to see how the miraculously rapid 'progress' of the CGR will advance the current figure.

citizen Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:28 AM

Shouldn't gates have been installed at the unguarded crossings before the service was launched?

Murshid Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:27 AM

Wow!!! Miracle of Asia. Also please protect the passengers as well as people at the railway crossings. However, this is another innovation to kill people and reduce the population.

Jiffry Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:27 AM

This is a joke... 90 unprotected crossings.... and trains expect to go at 100 Kmh.

MagodisThuma Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:12 AM

There are lot's of unprotected crossings ! Be careful !

Noah Wednesday, 16 February 2011 07:09 AM

congrads for the new achievment. Hope there wont be any accidents . all da best

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

High speed train service launched

Comments - 31

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident