page_title: Coastal line (Sri Lanka)
section_title: Construction and launch
hierarchical_section_title: Coastal line (Sri Lanka) / History / Construction and launch
caption_attribution_description: ABOUT TO DEPART TO MATARA,THIS TRAIN ORIGINATED AT COLOMBO FORT STATION
context_page_description: The coastal line is a major railway line in Sri Lanka, running between Colombo Fort and Beliatta, via Galle and Matara. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country. The line has been extended to Beliatta on 8 April 2019 and is proposed to be extended to Kataragama, via Hambantota. With a designed maximum speed of 100 km/h between Kalutara and Matara, and a maximum speed of 120 km/h between Matara and Beliatta, the line is one of the fastest in Sri Lanka.
context_section_description: This line was the second railway line in Sri Lanka. Construction works started after Colombo–Kandy–Badulla Main Line. On 1 March 1877 first train up to Panadura was commenced. On 1 February 1878, trains ran up to Kalutara and one year after that on 1 February 1879 Wadduwa Station was declared open. On 22 September 1879 inaugural opening of Kalutara North and Kalutara South Stations and ran first train to Kalutara South. On 31 March 1890 line extended to Kalutara South to Aluthgama. Then up to Kosgoda on 8 September 1892 and Kosgoda to Ambalangoda on 15 November 1893. On 7 May 1894 British government completed the construction works to  Galle . After nearly a year and half later on 17 December 1895 train services to  Matara  commenced.
caption: Intercity train at Galle Station
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