Tenders to be called for ADB-funded light rail project in December

Tenders will be called in December for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded light rail project worth Rs 1.2 billion, Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said today (Aug 6).

Addressing a press briefing, Mr. Fernando noted that the rail track in Avissawella and the tracks from Colombo to Rambukkana, Negombo, and Panadura will be upgraded to operate on electricity.

He also noted that several tracks are to be developed with the assistance of funds provided by the Indian government.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Transport Secretary N. P. Jayampathy, Chairman Airport & Aviation Services (AASL) Dhammika Ranatunga and Chairman Sri Lanka Transport Board Upali Marasingha also attended the press briefing.

Transport Minister Ranatunga explained that the construction of the second terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport had been stalled since the cost proposed by the Japanese construction company for the project was “48 percent higher” than the expected rate.

The project is expected to be carried out on a loan offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Accordingly, he said a request has been made to the Finance Ministry to assist negotiations on the cost with the Japanese Embassy and JICA in the near future.

Minister Ranatunga further stated that if such talks fail, the government will re-advertise for tenders, a move which he said would take about "six to eight months".

AASL Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga noted that around nine million people could be benefitted upon completion of the proposed second terminal.

Meanwhile, the Transport Minister also pointed out that there is a shortage of 3,000 buses and that Cabinet approval has been granted to purchase 2,000 buses in a bid to meet the requirement.