Sri Lanka Railways


The Sri Lanka Railway Department is Sri Lanka's railway owner and primary operator. As part of the Sri Lankan government, it is overseen by the Ministry of Transport. Founded in 1858 as the Ceylon Government Railway, it operates the nation's rail and links the capital, Colombo, with other population centres and tourist destinations.
The Sri Lankan rail network is of broad gauge. Some of its routes are scenic, with the Main Line passing waterfalls, mountains, tea estates, pine forests, bridges and peak stations.

History

Beginnings

The rail network was introduced by the British colonial government in 1864. The main reason for building a railway system in Ceylon was to transport tea and coffee from the hill country to Colombo. The service began with a main line connecting Colombo and Ambepussa. Guilford Lindsey Molesworth, the first chief engineer, became director general of the government railway. Many Ceylonese people referred to the trains as Anguru Kaka Wathura Bibi Colaba Duwana Yakada Yaka.
Extensions were made to the main line in 1867, 1874, 1885, 1894 and 1924, extending it to Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Nanu Oya, Bandarawela and Badulla. Other lines were added to the Ceylon Railway System during its first century, including an 1880 line to Matale, the 1895 Coast Railway Line, the 1905 Northern Line, the 1914 Mannar Line, the 1919 Kelani Valley Line, the 1926 Puttalam Line and the 1928 Railway Line to Batticaloa and Trincomalee. For more than 80 years afterwards, no major extensions were added to the Ceylonese rail network.

Golden age

The golden age of Ceylon Railways was from 1955 to 1970 under the management of B. D. Rampala, chief mechanical engineer and later general manager of the Ceylon Government Railway. Emphasising punctuality and comfort, Rampala led upgrades to major railway stations outside Colombo and the rebuilding of track in the Eastern Province to facilitate heavier, faster trains. He introduced express trains, and ensured that Ceylon's rail system was up-to-date and offered greater comfort to its passengers.
Until 1953, Ceylon's railways used steam locomotives. During its golden age, they changed to diesel locomotives under Rampala's leadership; several types of diesel locomotives were added to the fleet.

Decline

During the late 20th century, the railway began to decline; for three decades, it was neglected and poorly run. The Sri Lankan economy had shifted its focus from plantation agriculture to industry, and its road network grew. With the increase in lorries and highways the amount of goods transported by rail declined, and the railways experienced heavy losses.
SLR failed to adopt technological innovations seen in other railways abroad, and problems with travel time, reliability and comfort caused it to lose much of its passenger market share. By 2011, it had a seven-percent share of the market.

Rebirth

The government began a 10-year Railway Development Strategy to return the network to satisfactory condition in the early 2010s, ordering new DMUs to replace current trains. The southern line, which was damaged in the 2004 tsunami, was upgraded from 2010 to 2012. Its track was upgraded to handle train speeds of. The northern line affected by almost three decades of war, is being rebuilt; in 2015, it was restored to Jaffna and Kankesanturai at pre-war levels. The southern line is being extended from Matara to Kataragama to serve the developing city of Hambantota. In 2015, track construction to Beliaththa was seriously delayed. In 2011, Sri Lanka Railways began partnerships with ExpoRail and Rajadhani Express for premium service on major routes.

Rolling stock

Sri Lanka Railways' locomotives are primarily diesel. Steam locomotives, in regular service until the 1950s, are used only on heritage trains such as the Viceroy Special.
The first locomotives pulled trains during the 1860s on the original 54-km main line connecting Colombo and Ambepussa. Sri Lanka Railways converted to diesel locomotives in 1953, and several types of diesel locomotives were added to the fleet. Although Sri Lanka did not have commercially-operating electric locomotives or trainsets in 2011, electrification has been proposed to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
Most passenger coaches are from the Romanian Astra Rail Industries or the Chinese CSR Corporation. On most lines, service is being upgraded with new, long-haul diesel multiple units from CSR Corporation and India's RITES.

Network

The Sri Lankan railway network is 5 ft 6 in broad gauge. All service is diesel-powered. The network is divided into three operating regions based in Colombo, Anuradhapura and Nawalapitiya. The railway is currently modernising and extending the Coast Line to facilitate faster trains and improved efficiency.

Electrification

Although electrification was first proposed in 1928, the Cabinet did not approve the electrification of suburban railways until 2015. Electrification of the Panadura-Veyangoda line is proposed in phase one of the Western Region Megapolis plan with a soft loan from the Asian Development Bank.
A contract has been signed by Malaysia's Airport Express Air and Rail Company and the government of Sri Lanka for new electric rail line between Negombo and Colombo. The project is expected to be completed by 2018.
Electrification of the busiest sections of the network was proposed several times to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. Around 1998, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka submitted recommendations for railway electrification. Although they were approved by the cabinet, they were not implemented. IESL made new proposals for electrification in 2008 and 2010, but no work was done because the voltage systems were undefined. System electrification is favoured by the IESL to reduce pollution, increase passenger comfort and lessen travel time.
Sri Lanka Railways is planning to electrify the Colombo commuter-rail system from Veyangoda to Maradana, Maradana to Kaluthara and Ragama to Negombo, but their voltage systems are unknown. Fifteen electric multiple units will be imported for commuter service.

Signalling

Much of the network uses a lock-and-block signaling system. During the mid-twentieth century, the busiest sectors were upgraded to electronic signalling connected to a CTC control panel at the Maradana railway station.
In 2011, a project to add electronic signalling to the northern lines began. Track between Anuradhapura, Kankesanturai, and Talaimannar would have electronic signalling with centralised traffic control, using an interlocking colour-light system with electrically-operated points and a track-detection system. Level crossings would be connected to the signalling system, ensuring safety.
After the 2011 Alawwa rail accident, SLR began installing a GPS-based train-protection system on its entire fleet. The system warns a train driver of a possible collision in time to manually stop the train. The fleet can also be monitored by a central control room with the system. A trial run was conducted in early November 2011 with ten trains.

Routes

Major population centres and tourist destinations are connected by rail. Service began in 1864 with the construction of the Main Line from Colombo to Ambepussa, east, and the first train ran on 27 December 1864. The line was officially opened to traffic on 2 October 1865. The Main Line was extended in stages, with service to Kandy in 1867, to Nawalapitiya in 1874, to Nanu-Oya in 1885, to Bandarawela in 1894, and to Badulla in 1924. Other lines were completed to link the country: the Matale Line in 1880, the Coast Line in 1895, the Northern Line in 1905, the Mannar Line in 1914, the Kelani Valley Line in 1919, the Puttalam Line in 1926, and the Batticaloa and Trincomalee Lines in 1928.

Main Line

The Main Line starts from Colombo and runs east and north past the developing centres of Ragama, Ganemulla Gampaha, Veyangoda, Mirigama, Ambepussa and Polgahawela. At Rambukkana, the line begins a steep climb into the hills. Between Balana and Kadugannawa the track runs along the edge of sheer cliffs, allowing passengers a view of Batalegala.
The Main Line then continues climbing through tea country, connecting market centers at Gampola, Nawalapitiya and Hatton before reaching Nanu-Oya. This is the connection to the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya, still visited for its temperate climate, classic hotels and British-style gardens. The Main Line reaches its summit at Pattipola, above sea level, before descending past Bandarawela to Badulla. Passengers can view tea gardens, mountains, valleys and waterfalls.

Coastal line

The coastal line runs south from Colombo, following the Indian Ocean, with views of tropical beaches and coconut palm trees. It links the regional centres of Moratuwa, Panadura and Kalutara South, and beach resorts at Aluthgama, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa. The line continues past Galle before terminating at Beliatta.
From 1895 to 2013, the line terminated at Matara. In 2013–2019, the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation extended the line to Beliatta in Phase 1 of the Southern Railway project. This was the first new railway built in Sri Lanka since independence from Great Britain in 1948. Phase 2 will serve Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota, and Phase 3 will reach Kataragama. The latter phases have not yet begun construction as of April 2019.

Puttalam line

The Puttalam line branches off the Main Line at Ragama junction, extending north past Kandana Ja-Ela, Seeduwa, Katunayake and Negombo. It connects northwestern Sri Lanka, reaching Negombo Kochikade, Waikkala, Luniwila, Nattandiya, Madampe, Chilaw, Bangadeniya, Mundel and Puttalam.
The line also links other market towns and fishing villages. Passenger service ends at the Noor Nagar station, just north of Puttalam; beyond that, the tracks are used by Holcim trains to haul cement.

Kelani Valley line

The Kelani Valley line extends from Colombo-Maradana east to Avissawella. Originally a narrow-gauge line, it was converted to broad gauge between 1991 and 1997. The line connects the suburbs of Colombo in the Colombo District with the city.

Matale line

The Matale line branches off the Main Line at Peradeniya Junction, near the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. It runs to Kandy, home of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, before descending to Matale.

Northern line

The Northern line branches north from the Main Line at Polgahawela, passing Kurunegala—capital of North Western Province—before continuing to the cultural center of Anuradhapura. Service has been extended to the line's terminus at Kankesanthurai on the Jaffna peninsula, past Kilinochchi.

Mannar line

The Mannar line branches westward from the northern line at Medawachchiya, passing Madhu Road—location of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu—and continuing to Mannar Island.

Batticaloa line

The Batticaloa line branches eastward from the northern line at Maho to Polonnaruwa, site of an 11th-century capital and home to a number of historic monuments. The line continues to the city of Batticaloa.

Trincomalee line

The Trincomalee line branches north and east from the Batticaloa line at Gal-Oya Junction and extends to Trincomalee.

Mihintale line

The Mihintale line is a short branch line which connects Mihintale with Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka for over 100 years, via the northern line. It branches off the latter at Mihintale Junction and runs eastward to Mihintale.

Intercity network

The intercity network radiates from Colombo, connecting most major population and industrial centres with passenger and freight service. It includes hubs at Colombo Fort and Maradana.

Passenger service

Sri Lanka Railways operates intercity service connecting major population centres and commuter rail, serving Colombo commuters. The railway also transports freight. Most intercity trains have a number of classes:
Commuter trains serve the busiest portions of the railways in Colombo and its suburbs. Most commuter trains are diesel multiple units and lack the three-class configuration of intercity service. Commuter trains, which alleviate rush-hour congestion on city roads, can be crowded. Electrification of the commuter-rail network has been proposed to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

Train types

SLR divides its network into three operating regions, based in Colombo Maradana, Nawalapitya and Anuradhapura. Nine lines make up the railway network. Several services were named during the 1950s.

Links to India

A proposal to link the railways of Sri Lanka and India never materialised. However, a combined train-ferry-train service known as Boat Mail connected Colombo with Chennai for much of the twentieth century.
A bridge linking the countries was proposed in 1894, by the consultant engineer for railways in Madras. The proposal was seriously considered, and a technical blueprint and cost analysis were made. By 1914, the Mannar line was built to connect Talaimannar on Mannar Island to the Sri Lankan mainland, and the Indian rail network was extended to Dhanushkodi. However, a bridge linking them was not built.
Ferry service connecting the railheads at Talaimannar and Dhanushkodi lasted until the 1960s, when a cyclone destroyed the pier and rail line at Dhanushkodi. The ferry service resumed from the Indian terminus at Rameshwaram, ending due to the Sri Lankan Civil War.
A rail bridge was proposed again during the 2000s, highlighting the benefits of connecting the ports of Colombo and Trincomalee with Chennai.

High-Speed Rail

High Speed Railway Corporation Ltd has attempted to introduce mag-lev technology to the island, with a line connecting Negombo to Colombo 3.

Issues

Discrimination towards locals

In February 2017, Sri Lanka's Sunday Times criticized SLR for racist washroom facilities at stations. Foreigners may use clean washrooms, but Sri Lankan citizens are forced to use poorly-maintained and often-unsanitary washrooms. Signage clearly distinguish "foreigners' toilets" from other facilities. According to the Sunday Times article, foreigners' facilities were at the Colombo Fort, Mount Lavinia, Badulla, Hikkaduwa and Panadura stations. Transport Ministry secretary Nihal Somaweera said that foreign-tourist toilets were upgraded with funding from the Tourism Ministry. The article described the mindset of SLR's leadership as a legacy of the colonial era.

Accidents

A number of other accidents have occurred, including collisions with elephants in the north-central region. Other accidents occur at unsecured level crossings with road traffic. Of Sri Lanka's 1,684 crossings, only 527 are secure.
In an attempt to prevent collisions, SLR has begun installing a GPS-based train-protection system. The system will warn drivers of a possible collision in time to avoid it.

Cultural impact

Sri Lanka Railways has become part of popular culture, with references in books and TV shows. A band, Neville Fernando & Los Caballeros, performed a song entitled "Samuduru Devi" during the 1960s about the passenger train. The railway influences how suburban living is perceived, The rail lines in the hill country are promoted to tourists.