Northern railway line to be closed temporarily for renovation

Colombo, Jan. 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Northern railway line, which was severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, will be temporarily closed at several sections starting tomorrow (January 19), the General Manager of Railways, K. Ravindra Pathmapriya said.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Transport and Highways in Battaramulla, Pathmapriya said the Mahawa–Anuradhapura section will be closed from January 19, while the Mahawa–Omanthai section will be completely closed from January 26 to allow extensive renovation work. Renovation on the Medawachchiya–Talaimannar line will also commence from January 19.

The work includes replacing five railway bridges on the Mahawa–Omanthai line and renovating a tunnel designed for the passage of wild elephants. Officials said the project is expected to be completed before the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year to restore normal north–south train traffic.

Despite the closures, selected train services will resume during the renovation period. The Pulathisi Intercity Express and Udayadevi trains will operate from January 20, while the Night Mail train will resume service to Trincomalee. The Yalrani train will run from January 19 between Anuradhapura and Kankesanthurai, and from January 27 between Omanthai and Kankesanthurai.