List of named passenger trains of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
This article contains a list of named passenger trains in Sri Lanka
, by operator.
, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala, started to name major passenger services.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, by operator.
Regular Services
In the mid-1950s, Sri Lanka RailwaysSri Lanka Railways
Sri Lanka Railway Department, branded "Sri Lanka Railways", is a key department of the Sri Lankan Government under the Ministry of Transport with a history that begins in 1858...
, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala, started to name major passenger services.
- Udarata MenikeUdarata MenikeUdarata Menike is a daytime passenger train that runs between Colombo and Badulla in Sri Lanka.The Udarata Menike made its maiden journey on 23 April 1956. The Badulla-bound train departs from Colombo at 9.30 a.m., while the Colombo-bound train leaves Badulla at 5.55 a.m....
(Upcountry Maiden) - No. 1015 & 1016- Runs between Colombo and Badulla
- Podi MenikePodi Menike"Podi Manike" is a Sri Lankan passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla. Known as the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, this journey covers about 400 miles. It takes about 7 hours to complete the journey.The train follows the hill-country line, a route developed by British in...
(Little Maiden) - No. 1005 & 1006- Connects Colombo and Badulla (no longer runs via Kandy, only through coaches to Kandy)
- Tikiri Menike (Little Maiden) -
- Colombo to Hatton
- Senkadagala Menike (Maiden of “Senkadagala” – area name) -
- Runs between Colombo and Kandy
- Yal DeviYal DeviYal Devi is a major intercity express train in Sri Lanka. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the Yal Devi connects Colombo, the nation's commercial hub, with the northern cities of Jaffna and Kankesanturai. Since 1990, the service has had to terminate at intermediate stations, due to war...
(Princess/Queen of Jaffna) - No. 4001 & 4002- Was operated between Colombo and Kankasanthurei via Jaffna (now only up to Thandikulam)
- Udaya Devi or Uthaya Devi (Princess/Queen of the Rise -East) - No. 6011 & 6012
- Runs between Colombo and Batticaloa
- Mahawa Express (- Unofficial name -) - No. 4451, 4468 & 4470
- Colombo to Maho junction
- Rajarata Rajina (Queen of the land of kings) - No. 8085, 8086, 4085, & 4086
- Runs between Vavuniya and Matara via Colombo
- Ruhunu Kumari (Princess of “Ruhuna” – southern province) - No. 8058 & 8059
- Between Colombo and Matara
- Samudra Devi (Queen of the Oceans) - No. 8760 & 8327
- Colombo to Galle
- Galu Kumari (Princess of Galle) - No. 8056 & 8057
- Colombo to Matara
- Sagarika (Name of Ocean in Sinhala Language) - No. 8096 & 8097
- Colombo (Maradana) to Galle
- Muthu Kumari (Princess of Pearls) - No. 3427 & 3803
- Operates between Colombo and Puttalam
Special Services
- Bradby Express - Colombo to Kandy (connecting the Colombo and Kandy legs of the annual Bradby Shield EncounterBradby Shield EncounterThe Bradby Shield Encounter - commonly known as "The Bradby" - is the blue ribbon of Sri Lanka's school rugby union season. It is played annually between traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy. The encounter consists of two legs, one being played in the Royal College...
of rugby union)
Airport & Aviation Services
- Airport Express - Colombo Secretariat to Bandaranaike International AirportBandaranaike International AirportBandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...
using a Hitachi Class S5 DMU.
J.F. Tours & Travels
- Viceroy SpecialViceroy SpecialThe Viceroy Special is a special passenger train service operated by J.F. Tours & Travels Ltd. Powered by the sole steam locomotive kept in operation in Sri Lanka, it is operated as a private train on all railway lines in the island...
- Colombo to Kandy, Badulla, or Galle; by charter (Tourist excursion train powered by steam)