Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-03-23

Construction of a rail track from Kurunegala to Habarana via Dambulla to be implemented under ‘Let’s Awaken Polonnaruwa’ District Development Programme (2016 - 2020)

- Under the 5 year plan of ‘Let’s Awaken Polonnaruwa’ District Development Programme (2016-2020) which includes development projects for the enhancement of the living standards of the people living in Polonnaruwa and other adjoining districts, the project for the construction of a rail track from Kurunegala to Habarana via Dambulla, 80 km in length has been identified as a priority. This project envisages to provide a safe, fast and a cheap mode of transport to the people of the Eastern and North Central Provinces and also the linking of the Dambulla Economic Centre to the Railway Network which will greatly facilitate the achievement of district development targets and objectives. The Peoples' Republic of China has agreed to contribute to the implementation of this project and therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to appoint a project staff for speedy action to complete the project and to acquire the lands required for the identified trace of the rail track, was approved by the Cabinet.