Speaking to Nikkei Asian Review while on a visit to Japan, Jayasuriya has said that the Sri Lankan government is considering of introducing either monorails or subways, AS Traffic congestion has become a serious problem in the capital city affecting the economic growth.

The plan is for a 30-kilometer commuter railway connecting the center of Colombo with its suburbs. The operation would start by 2019. The total project is expected to cost around $2.5 billion.

The government has asked the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a feasibility study, hoping to attract Japanese companies to the project. In January, at the request of the government, JICA finished a feasibility study on the introduction of urban railways and the study has convinced the government of the need to improve the country's public transportation.

A consortium of companies capable of civil engineering work, delivering railway signaling systems and operating trains is expected to participate in the bidding. Bids will be accepted by the end of this month.