Marking 160 years since the first train service

27 December 2024 11:05 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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A religious ceremony was held at the Fort Railway Station to mark 160 years since the launch of the first train service in the country, which operated between Colombo Fort and Ambepussa Railway Station. A special train was run this morning to Ambepussa to symbolize the historic event. The inaugural train service in the country commenced in 1864. Newly appointed Railways General Manager, Dhammika Jayasundara, officiated the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Comments - 5

P Kunchithapathan Friday, 27 December 2024 03:15 PM

Successive governments have perpetuated the status quo in managing the railways, neglecting meaningful developmental initiatives. It is an unequivocal obligation of the authorities to ensure that trains are maintained in pristine condition to mitigate breakdowns and disruptions. However, the most glaring inadequacy lies in the archaic practices that persist—Sri Lanka Railways continues to issue diminutive cardboard tickets, a practice that starkly contrasts with modern standards. Moreover, train schedules are still announced via antiquated public address systems, with no effort to transition to an online real-time text-based system. This long-overdue modernization is an essential necessity for the ever-suffering commuters.

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Padre Pious Friday, 27 December 2024 04:33 PM

A religious service to run the train service? I now know why we have got ourselves into this mess.

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Ranil Abayasekara Friday, 27 December 2024 04:40 PM

It's good to commemorate historical beginnings. While Sri Lankans have a habit of practising religous rituals at such occasions, one hopes this one was a multi-religious function, representing the different strands of our population.

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DW Friday, 27 December 2024 05:39 PM

If readers didn't know, the first train service in the country, which operated between Colombo Fort and Ambepussa Railway Station was launched by the British. Sri Lankan officials here are acting like Sri Lankans built the railway. Did they even mention British during the ceremony? I doubt.

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PG Friday, 27 December 2024 05:44 PM

Indians act like they invented cricket and Sri Lankans act like they invented the railway. British invented both.

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