Yal Devi to reunite North and South
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The Yal Devi leaves the Fort railway station yesterday with
traditional Jaffna decor. |
A thirty-year conflict comes to an end, and we bid farewell to an age
of separation and usher in a new era of togetherness.
The “Yal Devi” track, which united the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and
Burgher communities of the North and the South in times gone by, fell
into ruin, and the trains ran only to Vavuniya, thereby making the
division between the North and the South larger, said Project Director
of the Yal Devi Louzanne Perera.
The track is now being rebuilt and the “Yal Devi” is poised to bring
together the people of the North and the South again.
On the directive of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa the Ministry of
Transport has dedicated itself to rebuild the railway track, which will
cost an estimated Rs. 15 billion.
After the 4 Km track from Vavuniya to Thandikulam has been completed
as the first stage, the track is to be further extended up to
Kankesanthurai. An Uthuru Mithuru campaign has been launched islandwide
to raise funds for this endeavour.
Yesterday, the Yal Devi made its maiden journey with religious
observances at the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
The train went beyond Vavuniya after thirty-years on the Northern
line up to Thandikulam, which was refurbished recently. Plans are under
way by the Railway Department to extend the Yal Devi service up to
Kankesanthurai, the final destination on the Northern line.
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