Restoring Puttalam railway line

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island recently, caused extensive damage to railway infrastructure under the Railways Department. On the Puttalam line, the embankment of the railway bridge over the Kadupiti Oya, located between the Kudawewa and Madampe railway stations, has been completely washed away over a stretch of nearly 65 feet.

In response to the damage, members of the Railway Stationmasters’ Association, together with station masters and junior railway staff, carried out emergency restoration work. The effort involved lifting and placing stones to strengthen the eroded sections of the railway embankment.

Railway officials stated that if repairs to the damaged section are completed without delay, train operations on the Puttalam line can be resumed promptly. This would also allow the redeployment of five trains currently stationed at the Chilaw Railway Station into regular service, thereby easing disruptions to passenger transport in the region.

Accordingly, a Shramadana programme was conducted today by the Sri Lanka Railway Stationmasters’ Association, with the active participation of station masters and junior staff serving on the Puttalam line, following the severe damage caused by the cyclone.