Train services on upcountry line resume

Colombo, October 23 (Daily Mirror) - Railway services on the Upcountry Line resumed last night after being suspended for several days due to severe rain damage.

Heavy rainfall on October 19 caused the railway line between Balana and Ihala Kotte to be washed away at eight locations, while the stretch between Kadigamuwa and Ihala Kotte sustained damage at two points, disrupting train operations since Saturday.

With the assistance of officers from the Railway Department’s Road Division and the Sri Lanka Army, repairs were completed, allowing train services to restart early this morning.

The Railway Department said train speeds will be restricted in sections where track washouts and landslides occurred to ensure safety.

A train from Kandy to Polgahawela departed Ihala Kotte at 3:55 a.m., while the Kandy–Colombo Fort train, which left Kandy at 4:30 a.m., departed Ihala Kotte at 5:30 a.m. following the clearance.

Officials said around 60 train journeys on the Upcountry route were cancelled during the disruption.