Special Bus Services Deployed as Coastal Train Services Remain Disrupted

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Railways says plans are underway to resume train operations on at least one track along the coastal railway line by this evening, following the derailment of the Sagarika train at the Wadduwa railway station.

At present, train services on the coastal route are operating only between Colombo and Panadura, and between Matara and Kalutara.

In the meantime, a special bus service is scheduled to be deployed from this afternoon in coordination with the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the National Transport Commission, to facilitate travel between the Panadura and South Kalutara railway stations.

The special bus services will operate between 4.15 p.m. and 6.25 p.m. today.

Sri Lanka Railways said it expects normal operations on the coastal railway line to resume after 6.25 p.m.

The disruption occurred at around 7.10 a.m. today, when the rear coaches of the Sagarika dual-powered train set travelling from Beliatta derailed, obstructing the railway track at the Wadduwa railway station.