The Southern costal railway line will be extended from Matara to Beliatta under the first phase of the Matara-Kataragama project. The authorities have already commenced preparations for the construction of the first phase which extends the current line from Matara to Beliatta.
Engineers from the International Trust and Investment Company (CITIC) Group of China, which is constructing the project, have begun feasibility studies to extend the 27-kilometer long railway tracks from Matara to Beliatta under the first phase.
The Railway Department (CGR) has already acquired necessary lands for the construction purpose. The CGR has acquired 1,411 plots of lands from the people to construct the railway line paying Rs. 710 million as compensations. The entire project which is estimated to cost $366 million will be carried out in three phases. The funds are born by both the government and foreign agencies. In Phase II, 48km-long track from Beliatta to Hambantota will be constructed. This line is scheduled to be complete by 2012. Phase III will involve construction of the 39.5km-long segment from Hambantota to Kataragama by 2015.