The inauguration ceremony for the upgradation of the coastal railway line from Galle-Matara sector was held on 19 August 2010 at Weligama. The ceremony was attended by the High Commissioner of India, Ashok K. Kantha, Hon’ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport, Hon’ble  Rohana Dissanayaka, Deputy Minister of Transport and Members of Parliament. The General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways, Mr. P. P. Wijesekara, and General Manager of IRCON, Mr. S.L. Gupta were also present.

India is assisting in the rehabilitation of the Colombo-Matara rail link through a line of credit of US $167.4 million.  Work on Phase 1 of the project in Galle-Matara Section (42 Kms) is likely to completed by December 2010.  The work on Phase II in the Galle-Colombo section has also started and the full quantity of rails will be reaching at Colombo Port today.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Kantha reiterated Government of India's deep commitment to contributing to the reconstruction and upgradation of railway infrastructure in Sri Lanka.  He said India wanted to be a ‘partner in progress’ of Sri Lanka and noted that both countries should work and grow together in the spirit of partnership, as their destinies were interlinked.  He also said that reconstruction of transport-related infrastructure would restore normal life, generate and support livelihood-related activities and also assist in restoring connectivity. High Commissioner Kantha underlined that IRCON was a leading company in railway infrastructure and he had been assured that it would complete all the construction work ahead of schedule. He appreciated the support extended by the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the work was completed in timely manner.

The High Commissioner also underlined India's commitment to infrastructure development in Northern Sri Lanka and added that the Government of India had already announced a line of credit of US$ 800 million for the reconstruction of railway infrastructure in Northern Sri Lanka. The commercial agreements for the construction of the Northern Railway Line between Omanthai-Pallai, Madhu-Talaimannar and Medawachchiya-Madhu Road sections have been concluded.  Work on the Northern Railway Line is expected to start from October 2010.

Hon’ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport said that the inauguration ceremony for the up-gradation of the coastal railway line was a ‘historic event’ and appreciated the Government of India’s assistance and support  in the revival of the transportation sector. Terming the Indian Railways as one of the best in the world, he  said that they looked forward to continued partnership and support from India for new railway projects in Sri Lanka.