SRI LANKA is ramping up its infrastructure development to accommodate its fast-growing tourism industry, with a new high-speed rail link set to connect the international airport to the capital, Colombo.
The US$600 million project is an investment by Airport Express Air and Rail Company (AEARC) Malaysia, and will allow passengers to cover the 30-kilometre distance between Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo within 25 minutes, compared to more than an hour by road.
The rail service will be able to ferry 400 passengers each time, and is scheduled to operate nine return trips a day.
Construction is expected to commence early next year, once feasibility and technical studies are completed and approvals from authorities are obtained, said AEARC chairman, Parimalan Michael.
