Aug 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka Railways says that three trains supplied by India will be put on the rail tracks in next two weeks.

They are to be deployed for test runs first, said a Sri Lanka Railways official.

One of the trains is to be deployed as a luxury train between Colombo and Matara. Another train will run between Colombo and Trincomalee. The third is to be in reserve for emergency services.

India provided these trains to Sri Lanka Railways under the Southern Railway Development Project.

The Southern coastal line was reconstructed in three stages with India's assistance. The Indian government provided US$ 168 million to implement the comprehensive project for upgrading the Colombo-Galle-Matara coastal railway track.

Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) was entrusted with the construction.

Sri Lanka Railways put five locomotives that were imported recently from China on the rails last week for test runs.

These trains include four power sets and a luxury train. The four power sets are to run on the Kelani Valley Line from Colombo to Avissawella while the luxury train will run on upcountry railway line.

Sri Lanka Railway has also planned to import eight more trains from China.