History of the Sri Lanka Rail Network

The Ceylon Government Railways as it was known in the 19^th and 20^th centuries was created by the British government in 1864 to bring rubber, coffee and tea crops from the interior hill plantations to the port of Colombo for export to countries world wide. The line, from Ambepussa to Colombo covered 54 kilometres. The majority of the planning for Sri Lanka's railway network was completed by the British, who extended the network from 1867 to 1928. A passenger service was developed from this freight service and today, the railway covers 1,508 kilometres and uses a five-foot six-inch broad gauge line.

The golden age of the Sri Lanka railways was from 1955-1970 when diesel locomotives were added to the rolling stock. Work to the railway was executed by the Sri Lankan government, following the country's independence in 1948. With independence came the change of name - British colonisation was consigned to the past and the Sri Lanka Railway began another chapter in its history.

In 1969 the entire network converted to diesel stock, with the arrival of 88 locomotives - a momentous occasion in the history of the Sri Lanka Railway. Nowadays the railway carries commuters to the capital, and allows tourists on Sri Lanka holidays to explore the island.

The line from Colombo to Nanu Oya is one of the oldest, and dates from the early conception of the railway. It is a great tourist attraction as it climbs through tea plantation country and connects by road to Nuwara Eliva, a perfect old-colonial town renowned for its mild climate and classically-built Sri Lanka accommodation which harks back to the days of British rule.