📈 Cabinet Greenlights Land Acquisition for Kelani Valley Railway Upgrade

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the land acquisition process for the long-delayed modernization of the Kelani Valley (KV) Railway Line, spanning from Maradana to Avissawella. This marks a critical step in upgrading one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most congested commuter corridors. • Project Scope: Modernization of the narrow-gauge line to address ageing infrastructure, speed restrictions, and capacity constraints. • Affected Areas: Land acquisition will span seven Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Colombo, Thimbirigasyaya, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Maharagama, Homagama, Padukka, and Seethawaka. • Funding & Resettlement: Dedicated funds have been allocated for expedited land acquisition and the relocation of families currently occupying railway reserve lands. • Economic Impact: The project is expected to enhance urban transport infrastructure, improve commuter efficiency, and support regional connectivity within the Western Province. _Status: Preliminary stage of land identification and acquisition based on official Cabinet briefing._