Colombo–Kankesanthurai Intercity Express Train Service Reduced to Four Days a Week
The Sri Lanka Railway Department has announced a reduction in the frequency of the Colombo–Kankesanthurai Intercity Express train service due to a shortage of operational power sets required to maintain daily operations.
Accordingly, the Intercity Express train service connecting Colombo and Kankesanthurai will operate only four days a week from July 10, 2027.
Previously, the train departed from Mount Lavinia at 5:15 a.m. and Colombo Fort Railway Station at 5:45 a.m. daily, heading towards Kankesanthurai. The return journey from Kankesanthurai to Mount Lavinia was scheduled for 1:50 p.m.
Under the revised timetable, the Intercity Express service will now operate only on:
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Monday
Meanwhile, the popular Yal Devi Express train service is also not operating daily at present and is currently running on alternate days.
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association stated that under the updated schedule, passengers will not have access to morning train services from Colombo to Jaffna or Kankesanthurai on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On those days, the only available train service to Kankesanthurai will be the Night Mail train, which departs at 8:00 p.m.
Passengers travelling on the Northern Railway Line have raised concerns over the reduction of train services, stating that the shortage has already caused major inconvenience for daily commuters.
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has also criticised the relevant railway authorities and Ministry of Transport officials, claiming that timely action has not been taken to resolve the ongoing operational issues.
Association General Secretary Kasun Chamara Jayasekara warned that the railway service crisis could become more severe in the future unless immediate steps are taken to increase the availability of operational trains and improve railway services.
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