Yal devi.....

Yal Devi to reunite North and South

A thirty -year conflict comes to an end, and we bid farewell to an age of separation and usher in a new era of togetherness.
The "Yal Devi" track, which united the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities of the North and the South in times gone by, fell into ruin, and the trains ran only to Vavuniya, thereby making the division between the North and the South larger, said Project Director of the Yal Devi Louzanne Perera.
The track is now being rebuilt and the "Yal Devi" is poised to bring together the people of the North and the South again.
On the directive of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa the Ministry of Transport has dedicated itself to rebuild the railway track, which will cost an estimated Rs. 15 billion.
After the 4 Km track from Vavuniya to Thandikulam has been completed as the first stage, the track is to be further extended up to Kankesanthurai. An Uthuru Mithuru campaign has been launched islandwide to raise funds for this endeavour.
Yesterday, the Yal Devi made its maiden journey with religious observances at the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
The train went beyond Vavuniya after twenty-years on the Northern line up to Thandikulam, which was refurbished recently. Plans are under way by the Railway Department to extend the Yal Devi service up to Kankesanthurai, the final destination on the Northern line. -defence.lk