Dr Sarath Obeysekera

1. Monorail Project (Thalangama – Colombo Corridor)

The proposed monorail—planned during the tenure of then urban development minister was intended to connect Thalangama / Malabe to central Colombo, integrating with IT parks and dense residential zones.

What Was Promising

• Advanced stage: Feasibility studies, Japanese interest (likely via Japan International Cooperation Agency), and preliminary alignments were already in place.
• PPP potential: Structure was suitable for Public-Private Partnership, reducing fiscal burden.
• Fuel independence: Electric-powered—critical for a country vulnerable to forex shortages.
• Urban congestion solution: Would have eased traffic on Parliament Road, Rajagiriya, Battaramulla.

Strategic Value (Had it been implemented)

• Reduced daily commute times by 30–50%
• Lowered fuel imports during crises like 2022
• Encouraged transit-oriented development (TOD)—high-value real estate growth along the corridor
• Positioned Colombo closer to Asian smart cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur

Likely Reasons for Cancellation

(Not officially transparent, but commonly inferred)

• Concerns about cost escalation and debt exposure
• Shift in political priorities after change of government
• Preference for alternative systems (like LRT, which also got delayed/cancelled)
• Weak institutional continuity in project management

2. Colombo Canal Transport System

The canal-based transport proposal—modeled after systems in Bangkok—was another high-impact, low-cost urban mobility option.

Concept

• Use existing waterways (Dutch canals, Beira Lake connections) and Nawala Wallawata stretch of canals 
• Introduce passenger ferries / water taxis
• Integrate with bus and rail nodes

Benefits

• Very low capital cost compared to rail systems
• Immediate tourism appeal
• Reduced road congestion in Fort, Pettah, Wellawatte corridors
• Environmental improvement through canal rehabilitation

Why It Failed to Take Off

• Poor inter-agency coordination (UDA, SLDC , Transport Ministry)
• Canal pollution and encroachment issues
• Lack of a strong private operator model
• Absence of political champion” to drive it

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3. Strategic Lesson for Sri Lanka

What you’re pointing out is a classic governance issue:

 Core Problem

Sri Lanka suffers from policy discontinuity”—projects are started by one administration and abandoned by the next.

Compare With

• Singapore: Long-term planning continuity regardless of political leadership
• Bangkok: Multiple overlapping transport systems developed over decades

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4. Way Forward (Actionable Proposal)

If you are pushing this again—especially linked to your Trincomalee or national development advocacy—you can position it as:

A. Re-launch as Integrated Urban Mobility PPP

• Combine:
  • Light rail / monorail (Phase 1)
  • Canal transport (Phase 2 – quick win)
• Offer as a bundled PPP concession

B. Start with Pilot Canal Project

• Route: Wellawatte → Fort via canals
• Low investment, high visibility
• Can attract tourism investors

C. Reframe Monorail Financial Model

• Land value capture (lease development along route)
• Japanese soft loans + private equity
• Carbon credit financing (green transport)

D. Institutional Reform

• Establish Independent Urban Transport Authority
• Legally protect projects from political cancellation

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera