In 1955 the state owned Ceylon Government Railway, now the Sri Lanka Railways, manufactured Sri Lanka's "first" diesel-electric locomotive using old spares of withdrawn Class S1 DMU power sets. This locomotive was named as "Jayanthi" and classified Class M3 - 589. The locomotive was put to service on 5 September 1956. Two years later, in 1958, the then Ceylon Government Railway manufactured another locomotive and Classified it as Class M3 590.

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Quick Facts Type and origin, Power type ...

Sri Lanka Railways class M3
Sri lanka's First Manufactured Diesel electric locomotive.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Sri Lanka Railways Build date 1956 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR Bo-Bo Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Loco weight 47 tons[which?] Fuel type Diesel Prime mover English Electric 2 x Willans type H6 Engine type 6 cylinder 4 stroke diesel Transmission Diesel-electric transmission Loco brake Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 55 mph (89 km/h) Power output 2 x 180 hp (130 kW)
Career Operators Ceylon Government Railway » Sri Lanka Railways Numbers 589 & 590 Official name Jayanthi Locale Sri Lanka First run 5 September 1956 Scrapped 2002[1] Disposition scrapped

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The reconditioned Jayanthi was built at the Ratmalana Railway Workshop under the guidance of chief engineer, Mr. Raj Gopal. The locomotive made its maiden journey on 5 September 1956. The inauguration of the train was declared open by Maithreepala Senanayaka, Minister of Transportation, 1956 government. Currently, the locomotive is scrapped.^[2]