He added that the Government of Sri Lanka should make all efforts to ensure that the trains can cover the distance from Colombo to Jaffna and Colombo to Trincomalee in 4 to 4.5 hours.

“It is also of paramount importance that every Government should leave no stone left unturned to develop rail transport as it is the most fuel efficient, safe, customer and environmental friendly mode of transport, ensuring all round development of the country”, he said.

IRCON International Limited, a Government of India Undertaking, under the Ministry of Indian Railways, will shortly complete 7 years in Sri Lanka in March 2016. IRCON was responsible for the upgradation of the Tsunami devastated coastal railway line and the reconstruction of the Northern Province railway tracks which tremendously helped in the capacity enhancement of the Sri Lanka Railway.

The restoration of rail lines in the Northern Province has reestablished rail connectivity to Colombo after a lapse of 30 years which has been a boon for the people of the North as well as the overall economic development of Sri Lanka media release issued by the company revealed.

IRCON's Project Director S L Gupta, noted that the Indian government has extend ed a line of credit of US$ 800 Million for the restoration of the railway lines and the installation of the signaling and telecommunication system in the Northern Province.

The last and final segment of the Northern Railway Line from Madhu Road to Talai Mannar Pier (63 Kms) was inaugurated on 14th March 2015 by the Prime Minister of India, he added.

As part of the Northern Railway projects, IRCON has also handed over six new locomotives to Sri Lanka Railways. The installation of the Signaling and Telecommunication system in the sections has also been completed and commissioned with the opening of sections, while the new railway tracks are designed with a speed potential of 120 kmph.