Colombo-Kankesanthurai luxury train launched

As a further step towards improving the quality of train services, a luxury train service with all facilities was launched this morning (09) for passengers traveling from the capital Colombo to Kankasanthurai in the North.

The train will leave Mt. Lavinia at 5.10 am daily and reach Kankesanthurai at 12.17 pm the same day. It will leave Kankesanthurai at 1.15 pm and reach Mt. Lavinia at 8.25 pm.

The train, made in India with the latest technology, has 10 compartments and 02 power engines, all of which are air-conditioned. Also, the Railway Department has taken steps to provide all the facilities required by the passengers in this train. These include comfortable seating, a buffet car for dining, Television, and modern toilet facilities.

Passengers wishing to avail the services of this train will be able to purchase e-tickets online a month in advance, the Railway department said.

The value of this train purchased under the Indian Credit Line Scheme is Rs.2500 million. The Railway Department has set up a special security arrangement to protect this train.

The inaugural service of the train service was held at the Mount Lavinia Railway Station under the patronage of the Minister of Transport, Hon. PavithraWanniarachchi. The Minister then traveled by train from Mount Lavinia Railway Station to Colombo Fort Railway Station and was accompanied by General Manager of Railways Mr. DhammikaJayasundara and a group of officials.

Following the launch of this luxury train, Minister of Transport PavithraWanniarachchi said: The present government has planned to implement a number of short, medium and long term programs to improve the quality of railway service in Sri Lanka. As a step in that direction, we can introduce the luxury train service that started its journey today. The Railway Department has taken steps to facilitate the public to travel north by this train at a very affordable price. This train service will enable local and foreign tourists traveling to the North to enjoy maximum comfort.

As the Minister of Transport, I request you, as the public, to protect these carriages while maintaining these services.

The train will stop at Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala, Wellawatte, Bambalapitiya, Fort, Polgahawela, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Kodikamam, Jaffna, Kondavil, Chunnakam and Kankesanthurai.A ticket from Mt. Lavinia to Kankesanthurai costs Rs.1700, from Mt. Lavinia to Vavuniya Rs.1500 and from Mt. Lavinia to Anuradhapura Rs.1200. (Minimum fee is Rs.1200).