Sri Lanka, Jan. 12 -- Restoration work on the Northern and Talaimannar railway lines commenced yesterday (11) with financial assistance of USD 5 million provided by the Government of India, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development said.

The reconstruction programme was officially launched at the Mahawa Junction main railway station under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake, with the participation of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and senior officials from both countries.

Large sections of the 370-kilometre-long Northern Railway Line were damaged by Cyclone Ditva, disrupting ongoing development and modernisation work that had be...