Rs. 131.6 million spent in 2019 to print 51 million train tickets

COLOMBO: The government is currently seeking the possibility of printing train tickets locally, said Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge.

“We have invited the Government Press to hold discussions with the Railway Department on printing train tickets locally,” the minister told Parliament,

Minister Lokuge made these observations in response to a question from Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Hesha Withanage.

Lokuge added: “The only president who developed Sri Lanka’s railways is the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

He said: “We have now commenced the project to develop the Kelaniweli railway line. Currently we are working on the time table and the facilities that should be added to train facilities.”

The MP questioned about the railway facilities during the oral question round.

Lokuge said the government “received an income of Rs. 6,386.96 million during 2019 from providing railway commute service.”

The minister also said that the government had spent Rs. 131.62 million to print 51 million tickets in 2019.

MP Withanage observed: “I think enhancing the train service will also benefit the attempt to decrease traffic on roads.”