The inauguration ceremony was held at Weligama with the participation of Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, Deputy Minister of Transport Rohana Dissanayake, Members of Parliament, General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways, P. P. Wijesekara, and General Manager of IRCON, S.L. Gupta.
Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Kantha reiterated Indian government's commitment to contributing to the reconstruction and upgradation of railway infrastructure in Sri Lanka.
India wanted to be a 'partner in progress' of Sri Lanka, he said noting that both countries should work and grow together in the spirit of partnership, as their destinies were interlinked.
According to a press release by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, India is assisting in the rehabilitation of the Colombo-Matara rail link through a line of credit of US $167.4 million.
Work on Phase 1 of the project in Galle-Matara Section (42 Kms) is likely to be completed by December 2010. The work on Phase II in the Galle-Colombo section has also started and the full quantity of rails will be reaching at Colombo Port today.
The High Commissioner also underlined India's commitment to infrastructure development in Northern Sri Lanka and added that the Government of India had already announced a line of credit of US$ 800 million for the reconstruction of railway infrastructure in Northern Sri Lanka.
High Commissioner Kantha underlined that IRCON, the Indian Company constructing the rail lines, was a leading company in railway infrastructure and he had been assured that it would complete all the construction work ahead of schedule.
He appreciated the support extended by the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the work was completed in timely manner.
The commercial agreements for the construction of the Northern Railway Line between Omanthai-Pallai, Madhu-Thalaimannar and Medawachchiya-Madhu Road sections have been concluded. Work on the Northern Railway Line is expected to start from October 2010.
Minister Welgama, Minister has said that the inauguration ceremony for the up-gradation of the coastal railway line was a 'historic event'' and appreciated the Government of India's assistance and support in the revival of the transportation sector.
Terming the Indian Railways as one of the best in the world, he said that they looked forward to continued partnership and support from India for new railway projects in Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission said.
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