In September 2021, RITES Ltd had supplied 20 state-of-art railway passenger coaches to Sri Lanka

Another chapter was added to India-Sri Lanka relations when on Sunday Sri Lanka ran a train service using AC Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), supplied by India under a Line of Credit.

“Another significant landmark in India-Sri Lanka ties! Hon'ble Minister @pavithrawannia1 inaugurated the AC Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) supplied by @RITES Limited under an Indian credit line & launched the train service from Mt. Lavinia to KKS,” said a tweet by the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Sri Lankan Minister Wanniarachichi took the inaugural ride which was welcomed at the Colombo Fort Station by Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Vinod K Jacob.

In a separate tweet, the Indian High Commission said that the train service launched in the country’s Northern Province highlights 2 key pillars of India’s development partnership with Sri Lanka.

“Powering the Sri Lankan railway infrastructure forward!! The train service launched today to the Northern Province highlights 2 key pillars of India's development partnership with #lka - infrastructure development and country-wide focus,” it said.

Several Lines of credit have been extended to Sri Lanka by the Export Import Bank of India in the last 15 years, said the Indian High Commission’s website.

Important sectors in which projects have been executed/ are under execution, under these LoCs include: Railway, transport, connectivity, defence and solar, it states.

Some important projects completed are: supply of defence equipment; up-gradation of railway line from Colombo to Matara; track laying by IRCON on Omanthai-Pallai sector, Madhu Church-Tallaimannar, Madawachchiya-Madhu Railway line and reconstruction of the Pallai-Kankesanthurai Railway line.

It also includes, signalling and telecommunication system; supply of engine kits for buses, diesel locomotives railways, DMUs, carrier and fuel tank wagons, the website adds.

Earlier in March and September last year, RITES Ltd had supplied 20 state-of-art railway passenger coaches as part of 160 coaches to be supplied to SL Railways through an Indian Line of Credit (LoC).

Alongside the passenger coaches, India is set to supply six DMUs, 10 locomotives, 20 container carrier wagons and 30 fuel tank wagons to Sri Lanka.