‘Dream Destination’ Initiative
Renovated Narahenpita Railway Station Reopens to the Public under the ‘Dream Destination’ Initiative
The Narahenpita Railway Station, which has been upgraded and refurbished under the ‘Dream Destination’ program to modernize and improve facilities at 100 railway stations across the island through a public-private partnership, was officially reopened to the public under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake.
The ‘Dream Destination’ program is being implemented as a sustainable initiative by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the supervision of the Department of Railways.
Located on the Kelani Valley Railway Line between the Kota Road and Kirulapone suburban railway stations, Narahenpita Railway Station had remained without refurbishment for many years and had deteriorated into an unsafe facility with inadequate passenger amenities. The station serves a large number of commuters traveling to and from the Narahenpita area, where numerous public- and private-sector institutions are located.
Accordingly, refurbishment work commenced on 27 September 2025, under the leadership of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, with MAGA Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. provided financial support and undertook construction work, while NIO Engineering contributed technical expertise and related services.
The refurbishment included the construction of a new pedestrian overhead bridge, installation of a new station roof, extension of the second passenger platform, improvements to the sanitation and sewerage systems, internal and external repainting, installation of new passenger seating, renovation of the railway quarters, upgrading of the lighting system, resurfacing of the station access road with asphalt, and a range of other improvements to the station and its surrounding infrastructure.
MAGA Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. invested Rs. 40 million in the project.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that the primary objective of the ‘Dream Destination’ initiative is to improve railway services by enhancing passenger facilities, while noting that upgrading the railway service’s human resources and physical infrastructure is a major undertaking.
He emphasized that the Government’s plan is to resolve long-standing issues while systematically improving the entire railway network, adding that several measures have already been introduced to enhance the efficiency of public transport services.
The Minister further announced that the initial steps towards introducing an electric railway service will be taken next year as part of the railway network’s expansion.
The first phase will focus on the Colombo–Panadura, Colombo–Makumbura, and Colombo–Ragama corridors.
Minister Rathnayake also stated that, alongside improvements to public transport, the Government has initiated a collaborative public-private development process to upgrade related infrastructure.
He described the ‘Dream Destination’ initiative as another commitment aimed at improving people’s daily lives, ensuring their safety and securing their future, while also incorporating public views and aspirations.
Among those present were Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council Hemantha Weerakoon, United National Party Colombo Municipal Councillor Sunanda Liyanapathirana, Additional Secretary of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Eng. S. P. C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Director General Kapila Senarath, Director H. P. S. Shantha, Director (Social Sector) Chinthaka Rajakaruna, Assistant Director Nishantha Alwis, Regional Coordinator Shashi Piyushan, General Manager of Railways Ravindra Pathmapriya, Additional General Manager (Operations) Chandrasena Bandara, Deputy General Manager (Traffic) N. J. Indipolage, Chief Engineer (Industries) Priyantha Deegala, Co-Managing Director of MAGA Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. Megha Kularatne, Chief Executive Director Piyadasa Madarasinghe, Project Coordinator Sanjeewa Peiris, Maradana Station Master H. P. K. Pushpa Kumara, Narahenpita Station Master R. M. Rohana Upul Kumara, Station Master (Operations) Madhusha Gunawardhana, together with senior officials from the public and private sectors and a large gathering of invitees.