Sri Lanka, Jan. 19 -- The Northern Railway Line, severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, will be temporarily closed at several locations starting today (19), Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya announced at a media briefing held yesterday at the Transport and Highways Ministry Auditorium in Battaramulla.

The Mahawa-Anuradhapura section will be temporarily closed from today, while the Mahawa-Omantha section will be fully closed from 26 January for repair work. Renovation on the Medawachchiya-Talaimannar line will also begin from today.

As part of the reconstruction, five railway bridges on the Mahawa-Omantha line will be replaced, and the tunnel built for wild elephants will undergo repairs. Authorities aim to complete the work befo...