When tsunami reports first reached the dispatching office in Maradana, officials were able to halt eight trains running on the Coastal Line, but were unable to reach the Matara Express.
Ketika kantor PPKA (pemimpin perjalanan kereta api) Maradana menerima laporan tsunami, para petugas langsung menahan delapan kereta yang sedang berjalan di rel pantai, tetapi tidak bisa menghubungi Matara Express.