Rebuilding nation on rails: Eng. Rampala Memorial Oration calls for bold railway reforms

Freight, which ought to be a cash cow, makes up less than 1% of the national freight market Non-fare revenue-despite having over 14,000 acres of land in its possession-is minimal In 2022, over 60% of long-distance trains were more than 30 minutes late, further eroding public confidence Prof. H.R. Pasindu presents comprehensive and transformative restructuring framework based on internationally accepted best practices, adapted to the local context of Sri Lanka Moots role separation: a new State-owned Sri Lanka Railways to own land, tracks, and infrastructure; an independent Sri Lanka Railways Regulatory Commission to enforce safety, pricing, standards, and licencing; a dedicated rolling-stock company to manage locomotives and carriages; and multiple train service operators selected through a transparent, competitive bidding process to run passenger and freight services This model, while ensuring that State retains ownership of national assets, replaces direct political management with a commercially disciplined structure Allows private sector participation- not outright privatisation-but through concessions and through Public Service Contracts

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MECHANICAL Engineering Sectional Committee of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) held the prestigious Eng. B.D. Rampala Memorial Oration 2025 on 14 November, where policymakers, engineers, academics, and transport-sector stakeholders came together to reflect upon the legacy of one of the greatest engineering pioneers of this nation-and to consider the urgent reforms needed to revive railway system of Sri Lanka.

Delivered by Prof. H.R. Pasindu the oration, titled"Framework for Restructuring Railways for an Efficient and Integrated Transport System", offered a compelling and data-driven roadmap to transform Sri Lanka Railways into a modern, reliable, and economically sustainable national asset.

The event was a tribute to Eng. B.D. Rampala, the first Sri Lankan Chief Mechanical Engineer and visionary General Manager of the then Ceylon Government Railways, widely remembered as the architect of the railway's golden era. Between 1955 and 1970, his leadership was characterised by innovation, discipline, and relentless pursuit of service excellence.

From dieselising the network and modernising the signalling systems to introducing iconic express services such as Ruhunu Kumari, Yal Devi, Udarata Menike, and Samudra Devi, his contributions revolutionised railway travel and shaped Sri Lankan transport culture for generations.