China And India Given Railway Contracts

Mahinda in cabinet meeting in Kilinochchi

At a meeting in Kilinochchi, the Sri Lankan cabinet approved Chinese and Indian contracts to develop southern and northern railways. On the recommendation of Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, the China National Machinery Import and Export Corp was given approval to develop the southern Matara-Beliatta line at a cost of USD 290 million. On the recommendation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the contract to rebuild the northern railways line was given to Indian Railway Construction International Ltd at a cost of over USD 80 million. These decisions were announced in the official government press release.

These contracts include the rail infrastructure as well as telecommunication and signaling equipment.