🚂 Sri Lanka’s Railways Need Structural Reform Beyond Repairs

The reopening of the Colombo-Gampola railway line following Cyclone Ditwah highlights technical resilience, but the sector faces severe financial and operational stagnation. • Financial Performance: The Department recorded revenue of ~Rs. 16.5 Bn against expenditure of ~Rs. 39.5 Bn in 2024, resulting in a persistent operating deficit of ~Rs. 23 Bn. • Operational & Asset Deficiencies: Parliamentary scrutiny (CoPA) revealed outdated fixed-asset registers, poor inventory records, and unutilized assets, including 63 locomotives and 40 power sets idling for 1–8 years. • Growth & Commercial Potential: Substantial state-owned land in urban corridors remains underutilized, offering untapped commercial revenue opportunities via transit-oriented real estate, logistics, and private-sector partnerships. • Strategic Economic Impact: Upgrading the network into autonomous, market-oriented infrastructure is vital to support sectors like tourism, regional industry, and freight transport while easing fiscal pressure on public debt.