Section of main line tracks overgrown since cyclone

By Shantha Chandrasiri

Colombo, Feb. 10 (Daily Mirror) - The upcountry railway line at several locations has been left to the mercy of the shrub jungle after the train service ground to a halt owing to the damage caused to the track by the Cyclone Ditwah and landslides.

Train service has, however, been restored between Ambewela and Badulla, and Nawalapitiya and Watawala. Railway engineers and workers are at present attending to the repairs of the railway line from Rambukkana to Nawalapitiya and Ambewela to Nanuoya.

Train service on the mainline has come to a standstill for more than 75 days, causing hardship to the people living in the villages accessible only by train. They said a big slice of their daily income is being spent on transport.

A senior official of Nawalapitiya control room said that after restoring the railway line from Nanuoya to Ambewela, the railway engines stalled at Nanuoya could be used to operate the train service between Nanuoya and Badulla.