Namal’s first project a disaster

he luxury intercity train service between Katunayake and Colombo that was launched on June 1st under the directive of Namal Rajapaksa is now at a standstill after its inaugural journey, sources from Sri Lanka Railways said. The train service was launched to transport VIP guests arriving in the country to attend the IIFA awards.

The Airport and Aviation Services had spent Rs. 300 million to paint and install air conditioners in to four carriages in to the train as it was a proposal put forward by Namal Rajapaksa, who is the supervisory MP for the Port and Aviation Ministry.

The institution had spent the money on the project without carrying out any feasibility study or receiving any

board approval.

The Railway Department decided to Charge a sum of Rs. 2,500 from passengers who wished to travel in the train.

A trade union leader affiliated to Sri Lanka Railways told Lanka News Web that since an A/C taxi from the Katunayake Airport to Colombo costs Rs. 2,800, no one with a right mind would opt to travel by train spending Rs. 2,500.