Yaazhtheavi extension to Thaa'ndikku'lam cancelled last minute

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 April 2009, 11:45 GMT]
The extension of Yaazhtheavi express train from Vavuniyaa to Thaa'ndikku'lam with effect from Thursday was cancelled last minute due to security reasons. Sri Lanka Railways inaugural event was arranged by the Transport Minister Mr. Dallas Alahaperuma. Thaandikku'lam is located about 3 km north of Vavuniyaa. Yaazhtheavi currently runs between Colombo and Vavuniyaa.

All arrangements were made in the Vavuniyaa railway station on Thursday morning to ceremonially inaugurate the extension service. Chairs and other furniture for the event were transported from Anuradhapura to Vavuniyaa.

Railway officials present at the venue before the event received a message from Colombo that the extension was cancelled on the orders of the government high command.

Invitees present at the site were not told the reason for the sudden cancellation, but some Railway Department sources said the cancellation was due to security concerns.