Cyclone inflicts over $300 million in damages on Sri Lanka’s railway network

Sri Lanka’s railway system has suffered extensive damage from the recent cyclone, with losses estimated to exceed $300 million, railway sources said.

According to a UNDP Rapid Crisis Assessment, more than 278 kilometers of railway lines were affected by cyclone-related flooding, including 35 railroad bridges nationwide.

While these figures reflect flood exposure, other hazards such as landslides, debris, or damage to individual bridges can also disrupt operations, meaning even minor obstructions may render long stretches of track unusable.

At the divisional level, Colombo and Thimbirigasyaya in Colombo District, Ja Ela in Gampaha District, and Mannar Town and Nanaddan in Mannar District each recorded more than 10 kilometers of exposed railway.

Commissioner-General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi reported that only 478 kilometers of the country’s 1,593-kilometer railway network remain operational following the cyclone, severely limiting mobility and access to essential services in affected areas.