The initiative, formulated under the guidance of the President, will focus on upgrading railway infrastructure and introducing an electric commuter rail system aimed at improving public transportation services.
As an initial step, authorities will prioritize the restoration of damaged railway tracks to ensure the uninterrupted operation of train services. Measures to reduce the impact of landslides and adverse weather conditions, including the construction of retaining walls and the improvement of drainage systems, will also be undertaken.
The next phase of the project will concentrate on modernising major railway corridors, including the Coastal Line, the Main Line through Polgahawela and Rambukkana, and the Kelani Valley Line.
Under the Colombo Suburban Railway Modernisation Programme, electric train services are expected to be introduced from 2027 on the Fort–Ragama, Fort–Panadura and Maradana–Makumbura routes. These routes are planned to be linked to a broader suburban rail network aimed at improving daily commuting to Colombo.
The project will also include the installation of standard-gauge railway tracks and the deployment of new electric train sets capable of operating frequent short-distance services.
Officials noted that the large-scale nature of the project requires implementation in stages, as a complete transformation cannot be achieved within a short period due to financial and technical considerations.
The long-term vision is to fully modernize the suburban railway system over the next 10 to 15 years, while the first phase, including the electrification of priority routes, is expected to be completed within three to four years after construction begins.
