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US firm GE engines for Railways
View(s):General Electric (GE) Transportation has been selected to provide 12 diesel locomotives valued at US$ 48 million to the Sri Lanka Railways, a senior official said. The US Company GE had been selected from among several US, British and Chinese bidders, Railways General Manger S.M.Abeywickrema said.
He said that Cabinet had granted approval to buy the locomotives, each of which would cost US$ 4.2 million. The Railways Chief said the selected locomatives were the best of its kind and would be compatible with the existing rail tracks in the country. The 3000 horsepower engines would serve both passenger and cargo trains, he said.
Initially one engine would be brought down and after a three month trial period, the other engines would be purchased, he said.
External Resources Department Director General Priyantha Rathnayake said that funding for the purchase would come from the Canadian Government through its Export Development Bank and the money transfer would be facilitated by the Standard Chartered Bank.