The upgrade from Maho to Omanthai in Vavuniya will see the track capable of running trains at speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.
The track from Omanthai to Jaffna was previously upgraded under an Indian credit line.
The travel time from Colombo to Jaffna will be cut by about an hour after the upgrade. The track will be closed for five months from January five.
Sri Lanka Railways will operate 5 trains to Anuradhapura daily and busses will be provided by state-run Ceylon Transport Board and other operators to carry passengers to Jaffna.
The section of the track has 213 culverts and 90 bridges an IRCON official said.
The track now has speed restrictions on 27 locations where the train can be run at 10 to 40 kilometres an hour. After the upgrade the minimum speed will be 70 kmph.
The track will be re-built from the bottom up, with new ballast and welded tracks, which will allow for fast smooth travel without the current ‘jerks’. (Colombo/Dec28/2022)