Upcountry Railway Line Restoration Nears Completion, Kandy Services Expected by Year-End

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena, announced that the upcountry railway line, severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, is nearing full restoration. Trains to Kandy are expected to resume operations by the end of this year, with 92 out of 97 identified damaged locations already repaired. The disaster caused significant damage, including landslides and bridge failures, with the railway line's impact estimated at over USD 300 million. Alongside infrastructure repairs, the government is providing land deeds and financial assistance of LKR 50 Lakhs to residents whose homes were destroyed.