Plans have been made to extend the Kelani Valley railway line from Avissawella to Opanayaka via Ratnapura.
Accordingly, Railways General Manager S. Gunasinghe has made a request to the Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary to appoint a commission jointly with the Road Development Authority and the Railways Department to repurpose the existing railway line from Avissawella to Opanayaka via Ratnapura which has been identified as a highway.
According to the request, it has been said that the Kelani Valley railway line from Avissawella to Hambantota is planned to be constructed in 2030 as per the government’s physical plan.
The request letter also said that plans are being made to station five trains at the Avissawella Railway Station.
The letter said that it is best to appoint P.J. Premathilaka, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Railways Department, on behalf of the proposed Commission to look into the extension of the Kelani Valley railway line.
