Peradeniya Yakaa Paalama restoration faces significant delays, warns Station Masters Association

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has expressed serious worries about the slow progress in fixing the Peradeniya Railway Bridge, known locally as the ‘Yakaa Paalama’ or Devil’s Bridge. According to the association's Chairman, Sumedha Somaratne, the bridge is once again in bad shape due to problems during its construction. He pointed out that it has been three months since Cyclone Ditwah, and the full repair of the damaged railway line is still facing daily delays. “The government planned for the Peradeniya Bridge to be finished by April 28, but work has stopped,” he stated. Somaratne further claimed that some pro-government trade unions are spreading different stories, but the reality is that the bridge is tilting again, and no steps are being taken to fix it. He mentioned that these delays have caused major issues for daily commuters traveling to Kandy for jobs in both public and private sectors. “A train has been stuck on the Ulapane–Nawalapitiya railway line for three months. Even though it could be moved easily, the department has not made a decision about it,” Somaratne noted.