A leading Chinese transport company, China Railway Group Limited submitted a proposal to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on 17.01.2020 at the Ministry of Transport Services Management, proposing to commence a totally environment pollution free - Site Hanging Car System transport system which would be a novel experience to Sri Lanka.

The initial project under this venture will be from Kottawa to Pettah and in this transport system, an electricity-driven motor car system resembling tram cars that operates on a single rail mounted on columns of about 14-feet height constructed at the side of the High-level Road will provide the transport facility. One such coach can carry a number of passengers ranging from 08 to 11 at a time and this will be an ideal project to ease the traffic congestion currently prevailing on the High-level Road in the morning and afternoon. Also, since a large number of cars move on a circular line continuously at an interval of 5 minutes, the people get the opportunity to travel without congestion. 

The Chinese representatives explaining this project said that the passengers travelling from Kottawa to Pettah can get off enroute if the wish to and others can get on to travel from there. This track is managed through a central operation point. 

Currently, the passengers who arrive at Kottawa through the expressway have to spend around an hour to reach Colombo due to traffic congestion. Therefore, this system will be an ideal alternative to solve the severe daily traffic congestion on the High-level road. The fully air-conditioned hanging tram car provide a comfortable and safe journey for passengers.          

All costs related to construction under this project will be borne by the company concerned and the government do not have to bear any cost. The total investment is made as Chinese investment. The track used for system can be operated continuously for a 100 years and one car can be used for 25 years at the minimum. The other advantage is that each car has two solar-charged batteries that enable it operate on for 3 hours even in the event of a power failure. 

This 22 Km long track running from Kottawa to Pettah and the entire system will be established within the matter of one and a half year.   

However, since this transport system does not occupy a large area, provide the opportunity for people to reach their destination in a shorter time and is totally free of environment pollution, Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Transport Services Management instructed Mr. Gamini Senevirathna, Secretary to the Ministry to take necessary steps to implement this project in Sri Lanka.