SL to launch Light Rail System soon: Champika

30 June 2018 06:45 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka hopes to build a Light Rail System (LRS) with the main objective of easing traffic congestion on roads leading to Colombo from the suburbs and the feasibility report on the first project was handed over to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka yesterday at his Ministry.

According to the feasibility study prepared by the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), an elevated light railway line will be built on a 16-kilometer stretch from Malabe to Pettah at an estimated cost of US$1.7 billion or some Rs.272 billion by 2024.

The Japanese government has granted this loan package at 1% interest per annum in 40 years with a grace period of 12 years.

At a media conference after the feasibility report was handed over by JAICA Chief in Sri Lanka, Fusato Tanaka, the minister said his ministry was not only able to obtain this huge funding from the Japanese government on a highly concessionary rate of interest, the Sri Lankan Government would be in a position to repay the loan before the stipulated period of 40 years.

“The Light Rail Transit Project (LRTP) will not be a white elephant. It has the capacity to repay the loan in full before the stipulated period. The LRTP will no doubt be a blessing to the country and a big boost to the economy because it will reduce the travelling time from Malabe to Fort or Pettah from 90 minutes to 40. I hope when more and more people prefer to travel in comfort by modern light trains which will save time and money, it will also reduce the use of petrol and diesel vehicles contributing to environment protection,” the minister said. “The LRTP will also help to minimize road accidents when moving to this form of travel."

He said this railway service from Malabe to Fort will be the first such projects with another three in the pipeline to minimize traffic snarls on Galle Road, Kandy Road and High Level Road on the basis of Public Private Partnerships. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 34

Dhammika Saturday, 30 June 2018 11:07 AM

Hon . Champika its only Hon . Sajith and you are working on constructive programes for SL . Others are ONLY talking , Hence please expiedite and complete the Light Rail project for the benefit of the country .

ET Saturday, 30 June 2018 11:31 AM

NATO ? we should have started this in 2016 and finished by 2019. He has the vision but actioning takes a decade. Compared to Premadasa, Gamini and Lalith he is just talking.

Lal Sunday, 01 July 2018 12:45 AM

The feasibility study was completed last year and they started hiring consultants this year

Gamaya Saturday, 30 June 2018 11:51 AM

Well done Champika.After all how much commission are you getting and in what form.

Sudeera Mudugamuwa Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:16 PM

Good initiative. However I’m not sure how “Soon” is defined.

Ram Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:29 PM

Very good move and this will benefit the public as well as the Minister (not as a member of the public)

Bannis Mama Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:38 PM

Come on Sir, go a head with this project, this is what the country needs, I mean developments.

Dr. (Mrs) Kamala Pelpitiya Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:40 PM

You are a top class Engineer, you know better and I would say only you in the Govt. had done something for the masses. Please implement this project and run the race.

Capt.RM. Roy Munaweera Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:43 PM

I guess that you won't cheat like Ranil the liar. Ofcourse, we need people like you to lead the party and lead the country. For sure your plans to bring a Light Rail System will work and it will curve the traffic jam. Start immediately Sir.

Prof. Malcom De Seram Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:46 PM

You are the only capable minister who could do something for our nation. This project (Light Railway) is most welcome by the public, no need to wait long - start it as soon as possible.

Kadupol Jothywansa Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:48 PM

Be careful Ranil mama will divert this loan in to Central Bank Bond matter and will try to cover it and save his friend Mahendran.

R.M.P. Roshan Pathirana [Vendor] Saturday, 30 June 2018 12:51 PM

I am sure its not like RW's Bracelets, Helicopters to Police Stations and Vauxwagan Car Factory projects.

James Ingram Saturday, 30 June 2018 01:09 PM

Thank you for at least executing one of Gotas great plans. the least you can do.

Daniel Saturday, 30 June 2018 03:40 PM

Gota and others had only dreams. Project feasibility study report has completed only yesterday.

Lal Sunday, 01 July 2018 12:43 AM

Gota had nothing to with LRT. It was the current government that started it from bottom

Warelephant Saturday, 30 June 2018 01:14 PM

Dear minister once you get the lrtp going.... Dont let the unions get involved.

Romesh Saturday, 30 June 2018 01:39 PM

Only talking no working I have seen this news item several times.

Siripala Saturday, 30 June 2018 02:28 PM

Another innovative way of earning kickbacks,while destroying the beauty and environment of Colombo.Ban trishaws if possible to avoid the congestion

S.Ramkumar Saturday, 30 June 2018 03:06 PM

We as an Island nation, have to improve sea transport ., such as passenger ferry transport within coastal cities and also improve present trailway lines and compartments,

Arnold Saturday, 30 June 2018 04:54 PM

Is it an ovehead monorail or an underground railway. Whatever it is please do it fast.

arjayewardene Saturday, 30 June 2018 05:41 PM

WHEN WILL THIS BE? Next century?? What dreams U have!

be logical Saturday, 30 June 2018 06:06 PM

Dear Minister, along with this please also extend the duplication road, traffic along Galle road is the traffic coming from places along galle road.

Ahmed Saturday, 30 June 2018 06:36 PM

why it is taking so long to get started with this ? we want to see action. we dont want talks

Rail rail Saturday, 30 June 2018 07:41 PM

Haha people asking to start this immediately have no sense! Seriously it takes a long time to plan and put in the execution plan for these projects. Not like making an instant noodles!

Mike Sunday, 01 July 2018 01:41 AM

Do you have any idea how many years they wasted ? We are not going to believe them this time until they show it to us by action.

Ceylon Saturday, 30 June 2018 09:54 PM

Ha ha ha.ex lankans in america laughing loudly by hearing these news items came from their former robery land.1950s colombo mayer dr n m perrera said in 2 years will build a electric train system.champika said nearly 4 years ago the same but better onevthan n m.still one inch didnt build.

Ruwan Sunday, 01 July 2018 12:06 AM

2 years back, same storyhttp://www.dailymirror.lk/111692/Cabinet-approves-Light-Train-Transit

Mike Sunday, 01 July 2018 01:38 AM

If you really want to do something good for this country please show it by your action. From now on we will only believe the person who show it by action. We heard enough talks from our pm

Rasheedh Sunday, 01 July 2018 08:08 AM

In case of any issue, will they (new employees of the light rail ) strike..????

kathira Sunday, 01 July 2018 09:58 AM

Congrats! Good to hear! Execute the light rail project fast as possible.

Lord Wolfstein Sunday, 01 July 2018 10:27 AM

At the interest rates and the repayment modalities you can recognize honest countries that act really friendly

Lal Weerasinghe Sunday, 01 July 2018 11:27 AM

Yes it is a good project try and finish before the next elections. Also give a chance to local Readymix Concrete (RMC) suppliers. Do not bring any foreign RMC suppliers for this project.

akalankadayananda Sunday, 01 July 2018 11:33 AM

Well done Champika, now show us that you are also not a talk shop like most of your friends by starting this project in few months. We are looking at the ground reality

Upul Sunday, 01 July 2018 09:07 PM

This is a very good infrastructure project which will help masses. Please make sure it's done transparently so that nobody steal money out of it. I say this because in SL, new projects = mega fraud at the moment.

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SL to launch Light Rail System soon: Champika

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