80 billion rupees allocated for Sri Lanka's new electric railway system

Sri Lanka is set to overhaul its suburban transport network with an 80-billion-rupee investment to introduce electric trains next year.

Railway General Manager Ravindra Padmapriya told the News First programme Dawase Vimasuma that infrastructure plans have been finalised, and construction is scheduled to commence in 2027.

The initial development phase will target major commuter routes connecting Maradana in Colombo to key suburbs, including Ragama, Panadura, and Malawatta, alongside further regional extensions.

This shift towards electrification is designed to provide an efficient, fast, and eco-friendly network for daily commuters.

It is a desperately needed modernisation, assuming the ambitious project manages to avoid the usual delays and actually stays on track.