The breakdown of the Colombo–Kankesanthurai train on Thursday was caused by the poor condition of its engine, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena told Parliament.
Answering an oral question from MP Kavinda Jayawardena, Dr. Gunasena said the problem was not confined to the locomotive involved, and that most of the engines currently in service on the network are in poor condition.
“Our intention is to repair both the engines and the carriages,” he said.
The deputy minister gave no timeline for the repair programme and did not say how many locomotives are affected or what the work would cost.
Pressure on the northern line
The Colombo–Kankesanthurai corridor is the main rail link to the Northern Province and carries both the intercity service and long-distance passenger traffic. The intercity service on the route was restored to a daily schedule in July after a period of reduced running.
Rolling stock condition has been a recurring theme in transport questions this year. The government is separately pursuing an electrification programme for the Colombo suburban network, with electric trains targeted for 2027, while sections of the upcountry line have required extended restoration work following cyclone damage.
