Coastal Line (Sri Lanka)

Coastal Line
Intercity train at Galle Station
Overview
Type	Intercity rail
System	Sri Lanka Railways
Status	Functioning
Locale	Sri Lanka
Termini	Colombo Fort Matara
Website	www.railway.gov.lk
Operation
Opened	17 December 1895
Owner	Sri Lanka Railways
Operator(s)	Sri Lanka Railways
Technical
Line length	157.88 km (98.10 mi)
Number of tracks	Double track: Colombo Fort to Kaluthara South Single track: Kaluthara South to Matara
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	No
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map Coastal Line Legend Beliatta Wavurukannala Babarenda Kekanadura Matara Walgama Kamburugamuwa Mirissa Polwathumodara Polwatta Ganga Weligama Kubalgama Midigama Ahangama Kathaluwa Koggala Ganga Koggala Habaraduwa Talpe Unawatuna Katugoda Galle Richmond Hill Kepu ela Piyadigama Ginthota Gin Ganga Boossa Rajgama Dodanduwa Rathgama Lake Kumarakannda Thiranagama Hikkaduwa Telwatta Kahawa Akurala Madampagama Madampe Lake Ambalangoda Kandegoda Balapitiya Ahungalla Kosgoda Maha Induruwa Induruwa Bentota Benthota Ganga Aluthgama Hettimulla Beruwala Maggona Payagala South Payagala North Katukurunda Kalutara South Kalu Ganga Kalutara North Train Halt No 01 Wadduwa Pinwatta Panadura Bolgoda Lake Egoda Uyana Koralawalla Moratuwa Lunawa Angulana Ratmalana & Running Shed Mount Lavinia Dehiwala Dehiwala Canal Wellawatta Kirillapone Chanal Bambalapitiya Kollupitiya Beira Lake Slave Island (Kompanna Vidiya) Beira Lake Secretariat Halt The Canal Colombo Fort St. Sebastian Canal Maradana Kelani Valley railway line Main Line

The Coastal Line (sometimes referred to as the Coast Line or the Southern Line) is a major railway line in Sri Lanka, running between Colombo Fort and Matara, via Galle. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country. The line is currently being extended to Beliatta and is proposed to be extended to Kataragama, via Hambantota. With a designed maximum speed of 100 km/h between Kalutara and Matara, and a proposed maximum speed of 120 km/h between Matara and Beliatta,^[1] the line is one of the fastest in Sri Lanka.^[2]

Route definition

The Coastal line begins at Maradana Station and runs west towards Colombo Fort. It then turns south and runs through much of Colombo parallel to the beaches on the city's west coast, passing many commuter rail stations, such as Slave Island. It passes Panadura before reaching Kalutara. The commuter rail services end as the line continues south along the coast towards Galle.

Galle station is designed as a terminus station. Thus trains have to back out of the station to continue towards Matara. Matara is the current terminus of the Coast Line, though extension is under construction to Hambantota and Kataragama.

History

Construction and launch

A train running on the coastal line

This line was the second railway line in Sri Lanka. Construction works started after Colombo-Kandy-Badulla Main Line. On 1st of March 1877 first train up to Panadura was commenced. On 1st of February 1878, trains ran up to Kalutara and one year after that on 1st of February 1879 Wadduwa Station was declared open. On 22 September 1879 inaugural opening of Kalutara North and Kalutara South Stations and ran first train to Kalutara South. On 31 March 1890 line extended to Kalutara South to Aluthgama. Then up to Kosgoda on 8 September 1892 and Kosgoda to Ambalangoda on 15 November 1893. On 7 May 1894 British government completed the construction works to Galle . After nearly a year and half later on 17 December 1895 train services to Matara commenced.

Twentieth-century growth

Architecture at Galle station

In the mid-twentieth century, the coastal line experienced many changes to accommodate growing traffic. Galle Station was upgraded with better facilities and modern architecture. Express trains began serving the line, including the now celebrated Ruhunu Kumari. Along with the rest of the railway network, diesel traction replaced steam locomotives on all services.^[3]

Tsunami disaster and aftermath

The railway line was severely affected by the 2004 Indian-Ocean Tsunami. A train was swept off the track, killing more than 1500, in the worst rail disaster in history.^[4]

A train at Galle station

Augmentation of Coastal Line in 2011-2012 period

A train arriving Galle station

In 2011-2012, the Coastal Line underwent complete reconstruction between Kalutara and Matara, to upgrade the track. The line was upgraded to be able to handle trains at 100 km/h, allowing for shorter journey times and smoother service. The upgrade included replacing the rails and sleepers to ensure smoother and safer operation. The previously 3-hours-and-forty-minute travel time between Colombo and Matara has been reduced to just two hours.^[2]

The line is currently being extended to reach Hambantota and Kataragama.^[5] The first phase is an extension of the line to Beliatta. Stations will be built along the phase-1 extension at Kekanadura, Babarenda, Wavurukannala and Beliatta.^[6] Trains are planned to travel at 120 km/h on the new track.^[1]

For the second phase extension between Beliatta and Hambantota, the new railway line is proposed to shift inland, compared to the coastal alignment west of Beliatta. This would protect natural habitat on the coastal belt and minimise damage to property. A feasibility study and an environment impact assessment for the Beliatta to Hambantota and Kataragama phases of construction, connecting Hambantota, Angunakolapelassa, Wetiya Junction; Andarawewa, Mattala and Lunugamvehera, was approved by the Cabinet.^[1]

Operators and service providers

Sri Lanka Railways operates passenger services on the Coastal Line.

Rajadhani Express operates a premium service on certain Sri Lanka Railways trains on the Coastal Line, in partnership with Sri Lanka Railways.

Infrastructure

The Coastal Line has a gauge of 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge.^[7]

The Coastal Line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. However, there are plans to electrify the commuter-rail network, within the Colombo metropolitan area. This includes the Coastal-line segment between Colombo Fort and Panadura.^[8]

Time Table

Downwards

Starting Station	Departure Time	Destination Station	Arrival Time	Name	Frequency
Aluthgama	04.05	Galle	06.40		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	04.30	Panadura	05.25		Daily
Maradana	05.05	Panadura	05.53		Daily
Maradana	05.38	Kalutara South	07.15		Daily
Maradana	05.52	Panadura	06.47		Mon. to Sat.
Maradana	06.05	Matara	08.50		Sat. and Sun.
Maradana	06.24	Panadura	07.19		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	06.30	Matara	10.42		Daily
Aluthgama	06.30	Galle	08.17		Mon. to Fri.
Galle	06.50	Matara	07.59		Saturday only
Maradana	06.53	Moratuwa	07.28		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	07.00	Panadura	07.51		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	07.00	Panadura	08.40		Sat. and Sun.
Galle	07.00	Matara	08.16		Mon. to Fri. and Sunday
Maradana	07.17	Moratuwa	08.01		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	07.27	Panadura	08.25		Sat. and Sun.
Maradana	07.31	Panadura	08.40		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	07.35	Mount Lavinia	08.15		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	07.54	Panadura	08.51		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	08.06	Moratuwa	08.50		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	08.11	Mount Lavinia	08.46		Mon. to Sat.
Maradana	08.28	Mount Lavinia	09.06		Sundays and Holidays
Colombo Fort	08.35	Matara	11.50		Daily
Maradana	08.35	Kalutara South	10.01		Daily
Maradana	09.05	Kalutara South	11.17		Daily
Mount Lavinia	09.35	Aluthgama	10.53		Sat. and Sun.
Kalutara South	10.10	Aluthgama	10.42		Daily
Colombo Fort	10.30	Matara	13.50	Rajarata Rejini	Daily
Maradana	11.10	Aluthgama	13.07		Daily
Maradana	12.05	Kalutara South	13.29		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	12.30	Kalutara South	13.54		Sat. and Sun.
Aluthgama	13.15	Galle	15.10		Daily
Maradana	13.30	Panadura	14.25		Mon. to Fri.
Ginthota	13.40	Galle	13.50		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	14.05	Aluthgama	16.11		Daily
Maradana	14.15	Matara	17.48		Daily
Galle	14.15	Matara	15.31		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	14.30	Panadura	15.35		Daily
Maradana	15.20	Panadura	16.27		Daily
Maradana	15.40	Matara	18.20		Daily
Maradana	15.50	Mount Lavinia	16.32		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.00	Moratuwa	16.39		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.10	Kalutara South	17.15		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.15	Kalutara South	17.39		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.25	Panadura	17.15		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.40	Matara	19.35	Sagarika	Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.40	Hikkaduwa	18.56		Sunday only
Maradana	16.45	Induruwa	18.34		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	16.45	Aluthgama	18.51		Sat. and Sun.
Maradana	16.55	Hikkaduwa	18.51		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	17.10	Wadduwa	18.23		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	17.20	Galle	19.33	Sagarika	Sat. and Sun.
Maradana	17.25	Galle	20.10	Samudra Devi	Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	17.30	Galle	21.13		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	17.40	Aluthgama	19.51		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	17.50	Galle	21.26		Sat. and Sun.
Colombo Fort	17.52	Matara	20.42		Sunday only
Maradana	17.55	Matara	21.38		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	18.10	Aluthgama	20.07		Daily
Maradana	18.25	Aluthgama	20.45		Daily
Maradana	18.45	Galle	22.55	Night Mail	Daily
Maradana	19.45	Aluthgama	21.40		Monday to Friday and Sunday
Maradana	19.45	Panadura	20.40		Saturday only
Colombo Fort	20.00	Mount Lavinia	20.31		Daily
Colombo Fort	20.19	Moratuwa	21.00	Special Trains	8/3
Maradana	20.35	Panadura	22.10		Mon. to Fri.
Maradana	20.35	Kalutara South	21.57		Sunday only
Maradana	21.30	Aluthgama	23.25		Daily

Upwards

Starting Station	Departure Time	Destination Station	Time	Name	Frequency
Aluthgama	03.20	Colombo Fort	05.10		Daily
Galle	03.40	Maradana	07.01	Night Mail	Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	03.50	Colombo Fort	05.40		Daily
Galle	04.15	Maradana	07.45		Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	04.30	Colombo Fort	06.22		Mon. to Sat.
Matara	04.55	Maradana	08.16	Sagarika	Mon. to Fri.
Galle	05.00	Maradana	07.54	Samudra Devi	Mon. to Sat.
Matara	05.05	Galle	06.50		Mon. to Fri.
Mount Lavinia	05.10	Colombo Fort	05.35	Intercity	Daily
Aluthgama	05.20	Maradana	07.28		Mon. to Fri.
Galle	05.25	Kalutara South	07.45		Mon. to Fri.
Hikkaduwa	05.25	Maradana	07.50		Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	05.25	Maradana	07.40		Sat. and Sun.
Mount Lavinia	05.50	Colombo Fort	06.17	Yaldevi	Daily
Matara	06.05	Maradana	08.49	Ruhunu Kumari	Daily
Aluthgama	06.05	Maradana	08.08		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	06.10	Maradana	09.38	Galu Kumari	Mon. to Fri. and Sun.
Panadura	06.10	Maradana	07.07		Daily
Panadura	06.30	Maradana	07.41		Mon. to Fri.
Panadura	06.55	Colombo Fort	07.42		Mon. to Sat.
Aluthgama	07.00	Maradana	09.30		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	07.10	Galle	08.13		Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South	07.20	Colombo Fort	08.33		Mon. to Fri.
Panadura	07.30	Maradana	08.28		Not on Sundays (Mon. to Sat.)
Moratuwa	07.50	Maradana	08.34		Not on Saturdays and Sundays (Mon. to Fri.)
Panadura	08.05	Maradana	09.07		Daily
Moratuwa	08.05	Maradana	08.46		Mon. to Fri.
Galle	09.00	Colombo Fort	13.03		Mon. to Sat.
Moratuwa	09.00	Maradana	09.42		Mon. to Fri.
Panadura	09.15	Maradana	10.13		Working days only
Mount Lavinia	09.15	Maradana	09.50		Mon. to Sat.
Panadura	09.35	Maradana	10.41		Daily
Matara	09.40	Colombo Fort	13.15	Rajarata Rejini	Daily
Matara	10.25	Galle	11.33		Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South	10.45	Maradana	12.10		Daily
Kalutara South	12.20	Maradana	14.15		Daily
Galle	13.05	Aluthgama	14.43		Daily
Galle	13.15	Ginthota	13.25		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	13.35	Colombo Fort	17.14		Daily
Aluthgama	13.40	Maradana	15.31		Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South	13.40	Maradana	15.01		Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	13.40	Maradana	15.35		Sat. and Sun.
Galle	13.55	Aluthgama	15.59		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	14.10	Maradana	18.12		Daily
Panadura	15.00	Maradana	15.55		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	15.15	Galle	16.18		Daily
Panadura	16.10	Colombo Fort	17.11		Daily
Mount Lavinia	16.10	Colombo Fort	16.42		Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	16.15	Colombo Fort	18.33		Mon. to Fri.
Aluthgama	16.15	Colombo Fort	18.45		Sat. and Sun.
Moratuwa	16.45	Colombo Fort	17.18		Mon. to Fri.
Matara	17.00	Galle	18.16		Mon. to Fri.
Galle	17.05	Aluthgama	18.57		Daily
Panadura	17.05	Colombo Fort	18.04		Daily
Moratuwa	17.10	Colombo Fort	17.49		Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South	17.30	Colombo Fort	18.36		Mon. to Fri.
Panadura	17.40	Colombo Fort	18.29		Mon. to Fri.
Kalutara South	17.45	Colombo Fort	18.52		Mon. to Fri.
Wadduwa	18.30	Maradana	19.35		Mon. to Fri.

References

1. Range, Irangika (5 August 2013). "Wheels move on work on Matale-Beliatta track". Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
2. Dissanayake, Ridma (11 April 2012). "Southern railway line re-opens today". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
3. Perera, B. B. "Rampala regime in the local Railway History". The Island. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
4. "Survivors tell of tsunami train horror". BBC News. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
5. "ColomboPage". Construction of Matara-Kataragama railway line in Southern Sri Lanka begins. 6 April 2010.
6. "Matara-Beliatta railway project starts today". adaderana.lk. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
7. "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
8. "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 2012-02-10.