The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The dilapidated condition pertains to certain unauthorized crossings constructed without approval, which have been identified for complete removal. They are not suitable for safe use as railway crossings. (ii) Of the 14 crossings between Vavuniya and Puliyankulam, 12 are unauthorized. Only 2 level crossings are controlled by Sri Lanka Police. As the unauthorized crossings between Vavuniya and Puliyankulam must be removed, the Railway Department does not carry out maintenance on them. It has also been observed that residents have laid stones and metal at these unauthorized crossings. (iii) The Railway Department cannot bear responsibility for unauthorized level crossings.

¶ 03 (b) Under the Mahawa–Omanthai railway project, track rehabilitation enables trains to operate at around 80–100 km/h. However, maintaining such speeds is impossible where unsafe level crossings exist; therefore, such crossings must be removed. To meet public transport needs, suitable action can be taken after studies to provide parallel access roads from the railway reserve to the nearest authorized safe crossing. Accordingly, upon requests from relevant local authorities, with a wayleave and subject to about 60 conditions, access along or parallel to the railway reserve can be permitted. Additionally, at locations of unsafe crossings, alternatives such as constructing footbridges in coordination with the Road Development Authority or local authorities are appropriate.

¶ 04 (c) Not applicable.