Train services on Northern Railway line reduced from 18 to 8 daily – union

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has stated that the number of daily train services operating on the Northern Railway Line has decreased from 18 to just 8.

The association’s Secretary, Kasun Chamara Jayasekara, stated that although 18 daily train services operated on the Northern Line before Cyclone Ditwah, the number has now been reduced to eight.

He further pointed out that, particularly on Wednesdays, regular commuters have very limited travel options, with only the Intercity Express and Night Mail trains operating apart from other scheduled services.

The Secretary added that the ‘Yal Devi’ Express also operates only on alternate days, causing considerable inconvenience to the travelling public.

He also stated that of the 42 daily passenger and freight train services previously operating on routes connecting Colombo Fort with Badulla, Matale, Kandy and Hatton, only eight are currently in operation, while the remaining 34 services have been suspended.

Kasun Chamara Jayasekara further noted that, despite the association’s continued requests to restore normal operations on the Up Country Line following the resumption of train services to Gampola last month, no favourable response has been received to date.