Special train services to be introduced for Nallur Festival – Minister

Colombo, July 11 (Daily Mirror) -Following criticism over the recent reduction of train services to the Northern Province ahead of the annual Nallur Kandaswamy Temple festival, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that the Government is planning to introduce special train services to facilitate devotees travelling to major religious festivals.

Speaking in Parliament during the oral questions session, the Minister said recommendations have already been made to operate special train services during the festival season to ensure that devotees can travel conveniently.

He said sacred religious sites such as the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, the Madhu Shrine, and the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy are important places of worship that are visited by people of all faiths.

“Nallur, Madhu and the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy are sacred religious destinations. They are not places visited only by followers of a particular religion but are important places of worship that people of all faiths visit and pay their respects,” the Minister said.

Rathnayake said that the Northern railway line has now been fully restored, allowing trains to operate at speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour.

“The Northern railway line has now been completely rehabilitated. Accordingly, trains are currently capable of operating at speeds of between 100 and 110 kilometres per hour,” he said.

While acknowledging that there are still some minor shortcomings in the railway service, the Minister assured Parliament that the Government would take every necessary step to provide uninterrupted, safe and convenient transport services during the upcoming festival season.

“Although there are a few minor shortcomings, all necessary measures will be taken to ensure uninterrupted, safe and convenient transport services for the public during the forthcoming festival season,” he said.