New Locomotives from India to Speed up Northern Rail Project. Ircon International, a State Owned Construction Firm Operating under Indian Railways is Executing 252km Northern Railway Track Reconstruction Project

31st March 2013, www.sundayobserver.lk

Three new locomotives, built at India's Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, have arrived at the Colombo Port to speed up the Northern Rail project. These Locomotives are for the Sri Lanka Railway as part of the ongoing Northern Railway reconstruction project.

IRCON, General Manager S L Gupta said that three more locomotives would also be supplied to the Sri Lanka Railway under the Northern Railway project shortly. "These rail projects spreading over 250 kilometres in length are being funded as part of $ 800 million line of credit extended by the Indian Government."

Ircon International Limited, a state owned construction firm of India, operating under the Indian Railways is executing the 252 km-long northern railway track reconstruction project.

It was set up in 1976 by the Government of India as a wholly owned entity of the Ministry of Indian Railways and was then known as the Indian Railway Construction Company Limited.

"As the name indicates, initially, its primary charter was the construction of railway projects in India and abroad. Subsequently, the company diversified into the other transport infrastructure segments with its expanded and diversified scope of operations across the world," said Gupta.

"IRCON's growth to become a global construction firm was steady and fast. It has been a consistent winner of the 'Highest Foreign Exchange Earner' award in the construction sector in India for many years competing with many private construction companies."

"Under the Indian lines of credit, these railway lines from Medawachchiya to Talaimannar Pier and Omanthai to Kankesanthurai are being reconstructed. An ultra modern signalling and telecommunication system is also being installed under these lines of credit," said Gupta.

Being a state-owned construction company under Indian Railways and being globally recognised railway infrastructure builders, IRCON was the natural choice for this reconstruction project funded by the Government of India. When reconstructed, the track will be a modern railway line.

The Kalutara-Matara coastal railway line segment is also being upgraded by IRCON. The track is designed for a speed of 120 kmph with a smooth and comfortable riding quality.

Modern technology, such as flash butt welding, long welded rails, cast manganese steel crossing with standard turnouts are being used in the reconstruction. "No wooden sleepers have been used in constructing the entire track thus aiding forest conservation," said Gupta.

The project which has created employment opportunities for 2,000 Sri Lankans directly and many more thousands indirectly, will help the people of the Northern Province have a continuous train service from Jaffna or Talaimannar to Colombo once these railway lines become operational.

"IRCON and the Government of India are pleased to be part of Sri Lanka's development, while further strengthening the ties of friendship and solidarity between our two countries," said Gupta.

Ircon is a one of the largest engineering construction organisations of India and are pioneers in railway construction.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Selects IRCON International India to Reconstruct Northern Railway Line from Medawachchiya to Thalaimannar

• Sri Lanka Speeds up Investments in Transport Sector. Railways, a Priority. A New Master Plan being Prepared

• Sri Lanka Railways Cuts Losses by Freight Transport

Katunayake Expressway 26km Katunayake - Kelaniya Part to be opened in August 2013

19th March 2013, www.dailymirror.lk

Arrangements are being made to open the 26 kilometre-long Katunayake - Kelaniya Expressway, built at a cost of US$ 291 million, this August.

The Ports and Highways Ministry commenced the construction of the expressway in 2009 under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who inspected the expressway recently, instructed the relevant officials to plant trees native to Sri Lanka on either side of the road, after conserving the marshy lands on either side of the expressway and cleaning the Dutch Canal.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the true benefits of the Southern and Colombo-Katunayake Expressways can be reaped only after the completion of the Northern Expressway, the initial work on which has already begun.

Plans have been drawn up to constructing the Northern Expressway in three stages - the first from Enderamulla to Ambepussa, the second from Meerigama to Pellandeniya and the third from Ambepussa to Kandy.

Participating in a discussion at the Parliamentary complex on the construction of this expressway, Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the planning has to be done causing the least harm to human settlements and the natural environment.

The technical report on the expressway construction, the environmental report, surveying the area, geological aspects and the resettlement of people, who will be displaced as a result of land acquisition for the purpose, are now being studied since the project is expected to meet the needs that would arise by 2030.

Related Info :

• Colombo Kandy Expressway Changed to Include Kurunegala - RDA Sri Lanka

• Elevated Highways to Ease Colombo Traffic in Sri Lanka. 3 Roads Connect to Expressways Out of the City

• Colombo Outer Circular Highway Second Phase to Begin on February 18. 28km Beltway is to Ease Traffic Congestion of Sri Lanka's Capital

• Sri Lanka to Make Centuries Old Dutch Canal a Tourist Attraction. 14km Section from Negombo Lagoon to Kelani Ganga Estuary Now Being Developed


• CML-MTD Awarded Colombo-Katunayake Expressway Contract

Ferry Service between Tuticorin & Colombo to Resume by End March. Twice a Week Service Started in June 2011 Stopped in November 2011 due to Technical & Operational Reasons

17th March 2012, www.sundaytimes.lk

The ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo is expected to resume either by March end or in the first week of April, A. Subbiah, Chairman V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust was quoted by the Hindu.

Efforts are being made by the port agency, vessel operators and other stakeholders to resume the ferry operations between the two countries.

Most probably, it would resume before April 14, Mr. Subbiah expressed hope.

The international ferry service between India and Sri Lanka  after Union Minister of Shipping, G.K. Vasan, flagged off the service at the VOC Port. A nine-deck ‘Scotia Prince,’ the passenger vessel chartered by Flemingo Liners twice a week between Tuticorin and Colombo and vice-versa, stopped its voyage abruptly during November, 2011 for some technical and operational reasons.

The problems encountered by the operators had been addressed and they had also submitted a commitment letter to the port authorities, which indicates the early resumption of the ferry service.

As many as 12, 240 passengers boarded the vessel on journey until its  last voyage on November 18, 2011, Mr. Subbiah said.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka India Ferry Service Allows cars to be Brought in under Flemingo Liners' Drive In Drive Out Facility

• Sri Lanka India Ferry Service between Colombo and Tuticorin to Start on February 28 with a 500 Passenger Capacity. 100kg Baggage Allowance Given
 
• Visakhapatnam in East coast of India to be Connected to Colombo by Direct Flight & to Trincomalee by Ferry Service

Japan Ups Sri Lanka Auto Market Share with Hybrids. India's Share Down to 45pct. China Third with 5pct

01st March 2012, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Japan has increased its share in Sri Lanka's auto market to 36 percent from 33 percent in value with a surge in hybrid vehicles, amid a boom coming after a cut in taxes, Sri Lanka's main business chamber said.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said in an analysis of the auto market that market leader India's share has in terms of value had fallen to 45 percent to 51 percent. China was third with 5.0 percent.

The value of imports had increased to 219 billion rupees from 117 billion rupees.

The CCC said 57,886 cars and were registered in 2011 up 11 percent while 525,421 vehicles of all types were registered in 2011, up 32 percent from a year earlier including over 250,000 motor cycles.

In 2011, 5,927 hybrid vehicles were imported up from 438. "This growth momentum is likely to continue with the increase in fuel prices," the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said.

"Japan is the leading supplier of hybrid vehicles into Sri Lanka in almost all categories of vehicles except for cars of cylinder capacity exceeding 2000 cc (cubic centimeters), where Germany is the main supplier."

Transport between 5 to 20 tonnes have risen over 10 fold to 48,384 to 4,359. India supplied 91 percent of the total followed by Japan at 15 percent.

The Chamber said motor cars of less than 1,000 cc engine capacity had grown 222 percent partly helped by Tata Nano cars.

More than 100,000 petrol driven three wheelers have been imported in 2011. Diesel three wheeler lagged are there are only 20,000 in the country. The chamber said 99 percent came from India.

Sri Lanka New Vehicle Registrations up 42pct in 2011. New Vehicle Market to Grow by 10 to 15pct in 2012

26th February 2012, www.sundayobserver.lk, By Lalin Fernandopulle

The brand new vehicle market will grow by around 10-15 percent this year said Ceylon Motor Traders Association Chairman and Sathosa Motors PLC Executive Director, Tilak Gunasekera.

He said that the new vehicle registrations increased by 42 percent last year and added that the number of vehicles registered in 2011 was 526,421 compared to 369,243 in 2010.

Global car sales recorded a marked growth last year recovering from a lull when fears over prospects for Western Europe and product shortages from Japanese automakers prompted buyers to move to the sidelines, reports stated.

Global volumes rose two percent year-on-year in December led by a five percent month-on-month rebound in Asia. Purchases in the United States also advanced nine percent y/y in December, climbing to an annualized 13.6 million units from an average of 13.4 million during the previous three months.

Gunasekera said that global vehicle sales recorded a substantial growth last year compared to the previous year. The number of units sold in 2010 was 74.3 million while in 2011 it was 77.5 million which is a 4.3 percent increase. There is a good and steady growth in the global vehicle market.

With regard to the oil price hike he said the price increase will affect the transportation cost and thereby it will have a cascading effect on the economy such as food, passenger transportation cost, gas and essential items. Global oil prices continue their upward spiral, climbing to their highest levels in nine months over Iran’s warning that it may cut off oil exports to more European countries.

On Tuesday, oil prices reached their highest levels since May as Benchmark crude rose by $2.65, or 2.6 percent, to end the day at $106.25 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, marking the highest price of oil since May 4, 2011.Meanwhile, the price of Brent crude climbed by $1.61 to close at $121.66 in London.

Motor cycles, three-wheelers and cars are the main categories of vehicles imported by Sri Lanka in large volumes.

* Motor Cycles

The number of motor cycles registered in 2010 was 204,811. In 2011 it increased to 232,120, a 13 percent growth compared to 2010

* Trishaws (Three-wheelers)

The number of trishaws registered in 2010 was 83,114 and in 2011 it was 138,436 recording a 66 percent growth.

* Motor Cars

The number of motor cars registered in 2010 was 23,072 and in 2011 it was 57,887, a 161 percent growth.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Motor Sector Profitability Drops but Rising income & Economic Growth Keeps Demand High

• Sri Lanka Increases Taxes on Imported Vehicles

Super Luxury Buses for Sri Lanka Tourist Sector. Walkers Tours Gets 13 Buses

23rd February 2012, www.itnnews.lk

13 super luxury buses have been imported for the promotion of the tourism industry.The handing of these buses worth more than 175 million rupees for Walkers Tours Limited took place under the patronage of Ministr Basil Rajapaksa in Colombo today. Each Haiger brand vehicle manufactured in China, has a seating capacity of 51. Each bus is worth 14 million rupees.

Micro Company is the local Agents of the Haiger Bus Company. Several Parliamentarians were present at the handing over ceremony.

Image: Hon. Basil Rajapaksha, Minister of Economic Development was the chief guest at the handing over ceremony of new 13 super luxury HIGER Buses to Walkers Tours Pvt Ltd by the Micro cars Limited at Bandaranaike Memorial International

Conference Hall premises on 23rd February 2012. (Image courtesy: med.gov.lk).

Expo Rail Extends Service to Vavuniya from Colombo with Option to Board the Luxury Compartments from any Stop

21st February 2012, www.island.lk

Expo Rail has extended its luxury services to Vavuniya from Colombo with passengers having the option to board the carriage from any stop on the journey, on any day of the week. The train departs from the Fort Railway station in Colomboat 4.20 PM and arrives in Vavuniya at 9.10 PM. The departure from Vavuniya is at 05.45 AM arriving in Colombo at 10.25 in the morning. The journey is so much more enjoyable as this luxury journey takes approximately only 5 hours while it will take a passenger on average 7-8 hours on a good day to reach Vavuniya by road in private transport and even more by bus.

Speaking on the journey Expo Rail has been on so far, Group CEO, Hanif Yusoof said,"Expo Rail commenced its journey as the first luxury compartment in the Kandy intercity train on October 1, 2011 and added Badulla to its list of destinations on December 10, 2011 with the first train to Vavuniya flagged off on January 31, 2012 making it the fastest growing luxury train service provider in Sri Lanka. The Colombo – Kandy intercity operates daily from both destinations while the Colombo –Badulla train operates on alternate days. Expo Rail is set to further expand its operations, with Trincomalee set to be the next destination".

Expo Rail ensures it’s passengers a unique travel experience, with each and every facet of the luxury train compartment designed with their comfort in mind. The onboard crew meets and greets each passenger welcoming them to the fully equipped state of the art carriages ranking among the most up-to-date modes of trail transportation facilities.

Luxurious reclining seats for spacious comfort and relaxation, the fully air conditioned carriages with individual power outlets per seat and free Wi-F along with Wide Screen LCD Televisions are set up to enhance your journey with comfort and entertainment, as the mealsservedon board adds a new dimension to service standards in rail travel. Some of the other facilities include spacious overhead compartments, ‘First Aid’ treatment on hand and clean Wash Rooms with a cabin crew onboard offering you a personalized service.

• ExpoRail Time Table 

• Railway Map

Colombo Outer Circular Highway Second Phase to Begin on February 18. 28km Beltway is to Ease Traffic Congestion of Sri Lanka's Capital

08th February 2012, www.colombopage.com

Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways Nirmala Kothalawala says the second phase of the construction of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway will begin on February 18.

The construction of the 28-km expressway will be carried out in three phases and the work on the first phase of construction from Kottawa to Kaduwela has already commenced.

The outer circular highway will start from Kerawalapitiya along the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway to link Southern Expressway crossing A-4 highway at Kottawa and the main A-1 Colombo-Kandy highway at Kadawata.

The second phase of the project from Kaduwela to Kadawata at a cost of US$ 400 million will begin on the 18th.

The Ministry has estimated the third phase of this project from Kadawata to Kerawalapitiya to cost around US$ 290 million.

The Japanese government has granted US$ 630 million to complete the stretch of road from Kottawa to Kadawata.

The highway is expected to provide a circular beltway to bypass the city of Colombo and reduce traffic congestion.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka's Southern Expressway Earns Rs 151mn in Two Months. Average Daily Revenue Rs 2.5mn

Sri Lanka's Southern Expressway Earns Rs 151mn in Two Months. Average Daily Revenue Rs 2.5mn

08th February 2012, www.dailynews.lk, By Hemanthi Guruge

The Sri Lanka Government has earned over Rs 151 million from the Southern Expressway within two months of opening. The Southern Expressway is the first expressway in the country which was opened on November 27 last year. Southern Expressway Acting Director B.D.K Bandara told Daily News Business that Rs 70 million out of the total of Rs 151 million had been earned from the Southern Expressway during January. The administration records show an earning of Rs 4.6 million during the Independence Day.

The average daily revenue from the Southern Expressway is around Rs 2.5 million.

More than 530,000 vehicles have entered the Southern Expressway through eight interchanges within two months of opening.

Almost 96 vehicle accidents and 1,900 breakdowns have been reported within the second month of operation. Therefore RDA advises public to use vehicles that are in good condition.

A special bus service is being operated between Maharagama and Galle every forty minutes. A fare of Rs 400 is charged per passenger travelling from Maharagama to Galle, and vice versa.

The Southern Expressway will be linked to the Colombo- Katunayake Expressway, enabling a person to reach the Colombo airport from the Southern Province without going through Colombo. Construction of the next stage of the Expressway from Galle to Matara has already commenced.

The Southern Expressway from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa opened on November 27 enabling a motorist from Pinnaduwa to reach Kottawa within one hour.

Related Info :

• Colombo Kandy Expressway Changed to Include Kurunegala - RDA Sri Lanka

• Elevated Highways to Ease Colombo Traffic in Sri Lanka. 3 Roads Connect to Expressways Out of the City

Hertz Opens Colombo Office with Andrew Car Rental Company

02nd February 2012, www.dailynews.lk

With the opening of their new city office at the Galadari Hotel, Hertz is giving its customers a convenient location in the heart of the city. With the growth of the Leisure Industry in Sri Lanka, Andrew The Car Rental Company (Pvt) Ltd - the Licensee for Hertz Global, is looking to further expandby having their next office at the Bandaranaike International Airport in the near future.

In 2009 The Hertz Corporation ( NYSE: HTZ ), the world’s largest general-use car rental brand, entered Sri Lanka and since then has joined with Sri Lankan Airlines for their FlySmiles frequent flyer program, and is also in partnership with Dialog and the Auto Mobile Association (AA).

Andrews,a pioneer in the Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka, has the expertise to deliver the best serviceby offering a free Dialog chip and GPS, (Satellite Navigation System)for a stress-freetrip.

Hertz is the largest international general-use carrental brand,operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is number one in the US and in 81 othermajor airports in Europe.Operating both corporate and licensee locationsin cities and airports, Hertz is in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia andNew Zealand. The Company also operates the Advantage Car Rental brand at26 airports in the US and the global car sharing club, Connect by Hertz,in New York City, Berlin, London, Madrid, Melbourne, and Paris.

Hertz operates one of the world’s largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of rentalequipment, including tools and supplies, and new and used equipment forsale from approximately 325 branches in the United States, Canada, China,  France, Spain and Italy. With a comprehensive Asia regional network of 11 countries with 191 locations, Hertz offers a widerange of car rental and leasing services.

Hertz - Sri Lanka Rates : More Info 

Related Info :

• HERTZ Comes to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's First Monorail Links Hambantota Airport and Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium

18th January 2012, www.dailynews.lk, By Shirajiv SIRIMANE 

South Asia's first monorail track will be built in Hambantota linking the new Hambantota Airport and the Suriyawewa International cricket stadium. The project is expected to get off the ground next year. Hambantota district

Parliamentarain Namal Rajapaksa told Daily News that this would be a three kilometre stretch and they are currently talking to several investors in this regard.


He said that one of the main aims of this proposed rail track is that it would link key development projects that are already taking place in the City of Hambantota.

"One would be the proposed IT park where over 1.500 would be directly employed and the proposed convention centre, Airport, a 3,000 room apartment complex and several key investment projects," he said.

Since this is a very expensive project the monorail track is expected to be constructed on a build and operate basis where both the investment and maintenance costs would be less expensive to the country.

He also disclosed plans to construct a night market for Hambantota, which would open at 9 p.m. and go on till around 4 a.m. Rajapaksa also said that the Colombo-Marata Highway would be completed by 2013. "This would be extended to

Hambantota by 2016 and the railway line too would be extended to Hambantota," he said.


Related Info :

• Colombo International Airport to Receive 6mn Passengers by 2018. New Hambantota International Airport in Southern Sri Lanka to Open for Commercial Flights from November

Elevated Highways to Ease Colombo Traffic in Sri Lanka. 3 Roads Connect to Expressways Out of the City

12th January 2012, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka will build three elevated highways to ease traffic congestion in the capital Colombo connecting two central locations with expressways out of the city, a minister said.

Information minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said Egis Bceom International of France will carry out a feasibility study and prepare outline designs for the three expressways.

Higher economic and social development has increased traffic in the city requiring more roads, he said.

Extensive ribbon development along existing road made it impractical to widen key roads in the capital.

One elevated highway will run from Colombo's Fort area to Kottawa for 21 kilometres, where it will connect to an expressway to the island's south and an city outer circular road.

The second, also starting from Fort will run 5 kilometres to Peliyagoda where it will connect to an expressway to the country's international airport in Katunayake.

A third elevated highway will run from Colombo's Kirulapone area to Kadawatha and the outer circular road.

Several Sri Lankan universities will also assist in consultancy.

Related Info :

• Colombo Kandy Expressway Changed to Include Kurunegala - RDA Sri Lanka

• E01 Southern Expressway Bus Schedule and Fares

Sri Lanka Cuts Import Duty & VAT on Buses & Trucks. Value Added Tax Lifted on Solar Cells & PV Panels

10th January 2012, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka has cut import duties on buses, trucks and engines, which will help improve the standard of tourist and commuter services in the island the finance ministry said in a statement.

The state has also lifted a custom import duty charged on imported lorry bodies and tyres for lorries and busses by 50 percent, the finance ministry said. It was not clear what the existing tax rates were.

Sri Lanka's customs office in a statement posted on its website said from January 01, value added taxes on buses, lorries and trucks were also lifted giving effect to a proposal on the 2012 budget.

Other items from which value added taxes were lifted, raw material used for spectacles and frames, sunglasses, perfumes, sports equipment, speakers and digital cinema equipment, photo sensitive semiconductor devices.

Value added tax on spares for poultry industry, sawn wood, mammoties, forks, moulding (steel, glass, rubber, plastic), machinery for rubber and plastic industries, greenhouses and poly tunnels.

Related Info :

• New Vehicle Registrations in Sri Lanka up by 55pct in June 2011

• Sri Lanka Increases Taxes on Imported Vehicles

• Solar Energy Can Free Sri Lanka's Dependence on Fossil Fuels - Kanagalingam Gnanalingam, Rtrd Additional General Manager of Ceylon Electricity Board

New Roads to Ease Congestion in Colombo Planned as 40,000 New Vehicles are Added Every Month

06th January 2012, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka has started a study to plan new roads to ease congestion in the capital Colombo and provide fast connections to expressways, the head of the island's Road Development Authority said.

RDA chairman R W Pemasiri said heavy congestion is seen on High Level Road, Baseline Road and from Malabe to the Parliament Junction.

"The new roads can be elevated on built on the ground," Pemasiri said. "We will have a firm idea after the feasibility study is completed."

Roads around Sri Lanka's parliament in the administrative capital of Sri Jayewardenepura became heavily congested from early last year, residents say. Access to Colombo to fast developing areas like Malabe, falls through the area.

In 2010 Sri Lanka cut taxes on motor cars and monthly imports of cars alone are now around 4,000 to 5,000 units adding to the fleet compared to about 500 cars two years ago.

About 1,200 dual purpose vehicles are also registered compared to less than two hundred a few months ago.

Before that tax slashed or tax free cars were only available to state workers and the ruling class of elected legislators. Critics point out that even now ordinary second class citizens, pay higher taxes for cars than elected legislators

and state workers.

About 40,000 new vehicles are now put on Sri Lankan roads each month compared to about 20,000 two years ago. This includes about 20,000 motor cycles and 11,000 three wheelers, which are mostly used as taxis.

While more cars on the roads improve mobility of citizens and allow the state to collect more taxes from fuel (petrol is sold at a little less than double the cost) congestion can make increase inefficiencies by wasting time and fuel.

Capital cities which are economic hubs also need fast transport. Many countries have mass transit systems to supplement roads.

Sri Lanka is also building several expressways. The first expressway to the South is already open and another to an international airport north of Colombo is being built. An expressway to the central hill city of Kandy is also planned.

Pemasiri said the feasibility study will also look at how to optimize approaches to the new expressways.

Related Info :

• E01 Southern Expressway Bus Schedule and Fares

Sri Lana's Northern Railway Line Restoration to Receive $ 382mn from India

07th January 2012, www.news360.lk

Sri Lanka will receive a US$ 382.37 million loan from India’s Export and Import Bank to restore the Northern railway line, which was destroyed during the three decades of war.

Out of the loan, US$ 149.3 will be used to reconstruct the railway line from Pallai to Kankasanthurai, while another US$ 86.52 million will be used to set up signaling and telecommunication systems in the Northern railway line.

The rest of the money, which accounts for US$ 146.51 million, will be utilized for other contracts that may be mutually agreed upon by the two governments.

Cabinet of Ministers has given its green light to obtain the loan from India.

Related Info :

• India to Build Sri Lanka's Remaining North Railway. $ 149.3mn Contract Given to Indian Railway Construction International Ltd (lRCON)

E01 Southern Expressway Bus Schedule and Fares

03rd January 2012, infotravelsrilanka.blogspot.com

Both CTB and private buses have been given the approval to ply on the new Express Southern Highway. Although real highway terminus is at Kottawa and Pinnaduwa, the buses are scheduled to commence from Maharagama and complete the Journey at Galle instead of Pinnaduwa, the end of the highway.
The bus fairs and prescribed stoppage points have been named.

Bus fares and Stoppage Points:

From Maharagama to Kottawa the fare would be Rs 100/-, to Kahatuduwa would be Rs 120/-, to Galanigama the fair would be Rs 150/-, to Welipenna the fare would be Rs 300/-, to Kurundugaha the fair would be Rs 330/-, to Nayapamula (Baddegama) it would be Rs 370/- and to Galle the fare is Rs 400/-.


From Kottawa to Kahatuduwa the fare is Rs 100/-. Rs 130/- to Galanigama, Rs 180/- to Dodangoda, Rs 220/- to Welipenna, Rs 280/- to Nayapayamula, Rs 340/- to Pinnaduwa and Rs 340/- up to Galle.

From Kahatuduwa to Galanigama the fare is Rs 100/-. Rs 130/ to Dodangoda, to Welipenna it is Rs 180/-, from Kurundugaha to Hekampatha Rs 220/-, to Nayapamula the fair is Rs 280/-, to Pinnaduwa it is Rs 310 and to Galle Rs 360/-.

From Galanigama to Dodangoda it is Rs 100/-. Rs 130/- to Welipenna, to Pinnaduwa it is Rs 280/- and to Galle it is Rs 310/-.

From Welipenna to Kurundugaha Rs 100/-, to Nayapamulata Rs 130/-, Pinnaduwa Rs 180/-, Galle Rs 220/-.

From Pinnaduwa to Galle Rs 100/-.

Bus Time Table and Schedules:

The CTB and Luxury buses scheduled to run on the high way today would stop anywhere along the new Southern highway.

It is reported that the first bus leaves Maharagama at 6.00 a.m and will reach Galle at 7.30 a.m.

The first bus will leave Galle at 6.00 a.m and will reach Maharagama at 7.30 a.m.

The next bus will leave Maharagama and will reach Galle at 8 a.m. and will reach Galle at 9.30 a.m.

The second bus will leave Galle at 8.30 a.m and is due at Maharagama at 9.30 a.m.

The next bus which leaves Maharagama at 11.30 a.m. will reach Galle at 2.00 p.m.

The bus that leaves Galle at 12.30 p.m from Galle will reach Maharagama at 1.30 p.m.

The next bus leaves Maharagama at 2.30 p.m. and will be in Galle at 4 p.m.

The last bus to leave Maharagama will be at 4.45 p.m. and will reach Galle at 6.15 p.m.

From Galle, the last bus will leave at 4.45 p.m. and will reach Maharagama at 6.15 p.m.


Bus & Train Time Tables (Schedules) from State Information Centre: Dial 1919

State Information Centre requests  passengers  to dial 1919 to receive information  on  Southern Expressway bus services.

Accordingly the time tables of Ceylon Transport Board (CTB)  buses and Ceylon Government railways information could be received via  1919.

Tata Acquires Dutch Lanka Trailers for $ 8.3mn

07th January 2012, www.ft.lk

Tata group firm TRF Ltd. has increased its shareholding in Sri Lanka-based Dutch Lanka Trailer Manufacturers Ltd. to 100 per cent by acquiring the remaining 49 per cent stake for $ 8.33 million.

TRF had picked a 51 per cent stake in 2009 for $ 8.67 million through its wholly-owned subsidiary TRF Singapore Pte. Ltd. The deal also gave TRF a Put and Call option to acquire the balance 49 per cent, which the firm has exercised now.

Dutch Lanka Trailer has a manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka and sells trailers in over 30 countries. One of its subsidiaries is also involved in repairing, maintenance and service business of trailers.It also has a subsidiary in Oman besides a JV with Tata International to manufacture and sell trailers in India.

TRF is involved in providing solutions for material handling equipment and processing systems required in the infrastructure development. It has also expanded into automotive applications business. TRF earlier said that it plans to grow to Rs. 2,500 crore by 2013 focusing on material handling business and auto applications business.


For the six month period ending September 2011, TRF reported 7.55 per cent increase in revenues to Rs. 271.86 crore with Rs. 5.3 crore in net profit (as compared to Rs. 15 crore loss) in the same period last year.
In 2010, TRF acquired UK-based Hewitt Robins International for $ 4.62 million. Hewitt Robins is engaged in design, manufacturing of screens, mobile crushing and related products.

New Vehicle Registrations in Sri Lanka up by 55pct in June 2011

25th July 2011, lankapuvath.lk

Latest statistics indicate that new vehicle registrations in June 2011 reached 48,157 units, up 55.8 percent compared to 30,905 units in the same period 2010.

The Central Bank giving latest statistics indicated the biggest increase has been in three-wheelers which have increased from 8007 to 13,753 this year and accounts for a 71% increase.

The registration of Motor cars has been the second largest, showing an increase from 606 last year to 5,069 this year and accounts for a 736% increase.

Motor Cycles have also shown a significant increase from 18,725 last year to 22,690 this year and accounts for a 21% increase.

New registrations for all other motor vehicles such as buses, dual purpose vehicles, lorries and other transport vehicles for goods, tractors, hand tractors and other land vehicles, have also risen, the new data indicates.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Increases Taxes on Imported Vehicles

• Sri Lanka Motor Sector Profitability Drops but Rising income & Economic Growth Keeps Demand High

• Sri Lanka Slashes Excise Duty on Vehicles, Taxes Taken Out on Electronic Items

Sri Lanka Introduces Bus Ticket Booking Via Mobiles

21st June 2011, www.dailynews.lk

The National Transport Commission together with Dialog Axiata present the future of public transportation services in Sri Lanka with the introduction of the Mobile Bus Ticketing facility, allowing passengers to pre-book and purchase tickets through the mobile phone.

This innovative new service is implemented under the purview of the National Transport Commission, and seats could be reserved through this system on private transport buses plying identified long-haul routes. Colombo - Badulla, Colombo - Ampara and Colombo - Kataragama are the routes available with this service at the outset, and this would be extended to other long distance routes islandwide in the nearterm.

"The use of technology to enhance the passenger transport experience is a significant step in our national development drive as espoused in the Mahinda Chinthana. This effort will increase passenger convenience, and I'm pleased to have given lead to a programme of this manner.

There will no doubt be numerous challenges, but the National Transport Commission together with Dialog will be able to overcome these," Private Transport Minister C B Rathnayake," stated.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, said: "Dialog strives constantly to empower every aspect of Sri Lankan life, and we acknowledge the commitment and encouragement received by the

minister and his staff to make the convergence of technology into the transportation sectors a reality."

Related Info :

• Second Phase of mTicketing Launched by Sri Lanka Railways & Mobitel. Subscribers Dial 365 to Access Ticketing Portal

Colombo Port Cargo Volume up 10.1pct in Q1 2011

16th May 2011, www.island.lk

The Colombo port has seen an increase in volume for the first quarter of 2011, recording a volume of 1,076,540 containers during the first three months of this year, up 8.4 percent from 993,166 million a year earlier. Total cargo handled during this period amounted to 16.12 billion MT, up 10.1 percent from 14.65 billion MT a year earlier, latest data from the Central Bank showed.

The number of container vessels that called on Sri Lanka increased by 4.3 percent to 1,053 from 1,010 during the first quarter a year ago.

Domestic container volumes increased 8.3 percent during the quarter to 249,500 from 230,277 a year ago while transhipment volumes, mainly cargo to and from India, increased 8.9 percent 803,332 from 737,895 a year earlier.

There was 5.1 percent drop in re-stowing to 23,708 containers from 24,994 a year ago.

On a year-on-year basis, total cargo handled during the month of March 2011 increased by 9.5 percent to 5.73 billion MT with the number of containers increasing by 2.4 percent to 369,604 from 360,801 a year earlier. Ship traffic increased 8 percent in March 2011 to 376 from 348 a year earlier.

According to the Central Bank’s 2010 annual report, the cargo handling-ports and civil aviation sub-sector expanded substantially with a growth of 16.8 per cent in contrast to the marginal growth of 0.4 per cent registered in the previous year.

"This expansion was backed by the increase in both transshipment and cargo handling, which grew by 18.0 per cent and 26.7 per cent, respectively, during 2010. Further, the Colombo port handled the highest recorded volume of 4.1 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Container Units (TEUs) during the year, it said.

Related Info :

• Colombo Port Containers Handling Grows by 11.78pct Year-on-Year. SLPA Handles a Record 205,539 TEU in January 2011

• Colombo Port Jaya Container Terminal Handles Two Million TEUs in 11 Months. Four Million TEU Mark to Reach before Year End

• Sri Lanka Port Profit Go Up in 2010