The government has decided to import 2,000 railway tracks to upgrade the country's deteriorating rail infrastructure.

State Minister for Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, explained that the new tracks will replace worn-out sections of the railway lines, which have caused speed restrictions on many routes. These restrictions have significantly impacted the efficiency of Sri Lanka’s railway system.

With the arrival of the new tracks, the government aims to restore normal train speeds and improve overall operations.

The decision comes amid concerns raised by a recent audit report, which revealed that 70% of the 122,426 train journeys scheduled in 2023 were either delayed or canceled underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.