Sri Lanka Railway Department has suspended the import of remaining 15 power sets from India on an Indian credit line as the first power set delivered was put on hold in its inaugural journey itself due to an electrical defect.
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told this edition that when the defect was reported he informed the Indian High Commissioenr in Colombo and the Indian supplier , the state owned RIGHT Co and they have agreed to put the things in order.
The southern railway line was modernized with Indian technical assistance to enabling to increase the train speed up to 100 kmph. The track between Matara and Galle has been modernized under phase one and the final stage will connect up to Colombo that will reduce the duration of the journey from present 3,1/2 hour to two hour between Colombo and Matara.
The India is also assisting the Sri Lanka Government to reconstruct the northern railway line from Vavuniya up to Jaffna.
"The delivery of first three power sets were made and another two are on the way. I have now suspended other 15 pending the completion of attending to defects that was found." the minister said.
The first power set was ceremonially put on the track from Galle to Matara with the participation of Indian Envoy in Colombo and the Minister of Transport Mr. Kumara Welgama.
Sri Lanka has got a long term Indian credit line to modernize the counry's railway system.It is reported that the minister has ordered the suspension of importation of the rest of the power sets until the completion of the inquiry as the inaugural journey of the power set came to an abrupt halt on its first journey
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