Train services along the Upcountry Line were disrupted this morning (Dec.19) after a mound of earth collapsed on to the railway tracks between Haputale and Diyathalawa railway stations, in the early hours of the day.

The Badulla-bound night mail train from Colombo Fort has been terminated at Haputale railway station.

The Railway Department said both ‘Udarata Menike’ and ‘Podi Menike’ express trains are experiencing delays as a result of the earth slip.

New express train between Colombo Fort Badulla from December 23

The ‘Udarata Menike’ train was scheduled to depart Colombo Fort railway station at 5:45 a.m. while the ‘Podi Menike’ train was slated to set off at 8:30 a.m.

The railway employees are currently working in tandem to clear the blocked tracks, the Railway Department said, adding that restoring the interrupted train services would take several hours.