Construction of the wildlife tunnel under the railway line for the first time in the country was started on 01st March 2024 in Gatadivula-Kasikote of Galgamuwaunder the directions of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena as the initial step in the national operation to reduce the elephant-train conflict.
This special measure has been taken to prevent getting into danger of wild elephants while crossing this railway lineas per the advice of Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena followed by several discussions with institutions and organizations including the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Sri Lanka Railways, “Surakimu Railway” National Organization.
A policy decision was taken to construct this wildlife tunnel under the Mahawa-Omanthe railway rehabilitation project, which is being done with the financial assistance of Indian Line of Credit, and construction work was officially started today.
Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena who addressed and commented,
"Environmental organizations such as Surakimu Sri Lanka continue to raise their voice under different types of communicating methodsabout the future of this country, the environment, importance of protecting the environment, etc. However, due to various reasons, obstacles arise in the practical implementation of these activities. The Ministry promised to give the maximum contribution to take every possible action when representatives of environmental organizations including Hon. Pahiangala Ananda Thero met us and theypaid attention to the existing problems without agitations etc. Although the officers are not in a position to take action under the prevailing traditional departmental methods of the country. Attempts have taken by forming various committeesto find solutions to the problems for past seventy-six years. As a result, the governments that have emerged in the country have not received enough income for daily basis operations. Based on all facts the numerical truth we should emphasize all the development activities have been done using local or foreign loansregardless of government and the president.
Under that circumstance, an amount of 3000 Crore Rupees has been given to this railway modernization project under the Indian Line of Credit. Although seven ministers were previously in charge of transportsince 2014, but none of them got the ability to start the project. The reason is number of votes would be reduced due to the social unrest due to the closing of rail track for six to seven months for the modernization. Although, as a minister, I do not fear of making decisions.
Therefore, at the first phase of the modernization of this northern railway line, the section from Anuradhapura to Omantai was completed within five months in such a way that trains can travel at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. It is planned to complete the construction of rail line from Maho to Anuradhapura before the upcoming Poson Poya day as the second phase. Then, after 110 years, passengers will have the opportunity to travel from Jaffna at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. Accordingly, the travel time from Jaffna to Colombo will be reduced to five and a half hours. Even though the country is in a very difficult situation, I am glad because the funds received as a loan can be utilized for a noble purpose of protecting human and animal lives as well as for improving the living standards of the local residents.
Secretary to the “National Sangha Federation”, Kattakaduwe Sumanarathana Thero, President to the “Surakimu Sri Lanka Foundation”, Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thero, Honorable Buddhist Theros, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe, Parliamentarians, Mr. U. K. Sumith Udukumbura and Mr. Ishaq Rahuman, officials representing Sri Lanka Railways including General Manager, Mr. H. M. K. W. Bandara, representatives of the Indian Ircon Company who is the construction in-charge of this project, heads and officials of CECB, members of “Surakimu Sri Lanka Foundation”, representatives of environmental organizations, government officials including Ambanpola Divisional Secretary, and a large number of local residents participated for the event.