1. Matara – Kataragama new railway line

The total length of this railway line, which is proposed to complete under three following three stages, is 115 Km.

7.1.1  Social and economic benefits received by constructing of this railway line 

• By constructing the Matara – Kataragama new railway line, the people living in Hambantota and Monaragala districts would be able to rapidly connect with the  urban areas like Colombo, Galle and Matara through the improvement in the railway transport field and a quick economic growth could be achieved to these area by this means
• Because a railway line is being constructed with the speed of 120 Miles per hour, direct and quick connections could be developed between the urban and rural areas
• Through this railway line, which covers the agricultural areas like Hambantota and Monaragala districts, transportation of agro, diary and fishery products to the urban areas like Colombo, Galle and Matara in an easy manner and transportation of machinery, fertilizer and fuel easily to Matara,  Hambantota and Monaragala from urban areas via this railway line.
• In comparison with the other transport mediums, railway service is a very low cost and environmental friendly medium. A remedy could be given to the issues of arising due to increase of the price of the consumable products through the increase of the efficiency of the transportation of goods
• Converting the rail transport as the center transport network in the economic development process in the area through the supply of rail transport facilities for the industrial and agricultural development in association with the premises of the Hambantota Portand Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
• By providing rail transport facilities to the local and foreign visitors, who wish to visit these places, where the many scared places, animal parks and tourist parks have been established, the economic development of the area could be accelerated because the local and foreign tourists could easily reach to these places by trains

1.2. Present progress of this project

• An agreement has been signed with a China company for the construction of the first stage from Matara to Beliatta and the required money for this purpose, has been obtained from the China Exim Bank subject to the preferential loan system, and accordingly the construction activities are performed. All the relevant lands pertaining to the first stage (Matara to Beliatta) were taken over by the Ministry and compensation activities have  been finalized.
• Length of the railway line   - 26.75 Km
• Contractor   - C.M.C. Company  - China
• Consultation Service -Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) 
• Project duration - from 01.08.2013 to 26.10.2018
• Total cost of the project  - Dollar  278.2 Million
• Main Railway Stations  -Kekunadura, Bmbarenda, Wewurukannala ,Beliatta
• Sub Railway Stations  -Piladoowa, Weherahena
• Total length of the railway bridges - 3.754 Km
• Number of arches in the shape of squares-49
• Train tunnel - Two train tunnels in the length of 610 m and in the width of  268 m

Under the projects, the activities, which have been completed by the Contract company  95.1% of the total work  has so far been completed and total project activities including signals and telecommunication system are due to be completed by end of March in this year 2019.

1.3. activities, which  was done  in the project using the  local funds

The amount of money to be allocated to the year 2018 is Rs. 550 Millions.

1. Compensations were paid up to 100% to the lands which were taken over.
2. Total amount of money, which is paid for the compensation is Rs. 991 Million.
3. The bridge with the length of 100 m across the Nilwala River, Matara has been constructed.
4. Accepting the possession of the lands, which were taken over in the first stage, has been completed.
5. Alternative settlements and development of land s have been completed.
6. 1% of the construction activities have so far been completed.

1.4. Financial Progress

Foreign fund allocated for this project in the year 2018 was Rs. 5,000.00 Million. Local fund allocated for this purpose was Rs. 550.00 Million.  By 31.12.2018, Rs. 2,680.4 Million out of the foreign fund was spent and it is around 53.61 %.  Rs. 201.00 Million out of the local fund was spent and it is 64.35% in percentage.