Minister Amaraweera visits project area:
Dispute between contractor and consultant firm ironed out:
Phase one of the Southern Railway extension between Matara and Beliatta will be commissioned by mid 2018, said Minister of Fisheries and State Minister of Mahaweli Development, Mahinda Amaraweera following an inspection tour of the project area.
The minister visited the construction sites of the Beliatta and Kekanadura stations and the Nakuttiyagama railway tunnel before discussing the progress of the project with officials at the Ministry of Transport project office at Matara.
“The completion of the project has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
There was a difference of opinion between the contractor and engineers of the consultant firm which has now been ironed out.
“Certain changes have been made and we expect the work to progress speedily. I have suggested practical solutions to the problems brought up at the progress assessment meeting. We can look forward to travel to Colombo and beyond by train from Beliatta mid next year,” the Minister said.