A familiar sight returned to Sri Lanka’s hill country today as the iconic ‘Podi Menike’ train made its way beyond Rambukkana, marking the resumption of train services to Peradeniya and Gampola after an almost 10-month suspension caused by the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
Train services on the Upcountry Railway Line between Rambukkana, Kandy and Badulla had been suspended following the cyclone, leaving Rambukkana as the furthest point trains could reach on the line until yesterday.
The Railway Department has now begun extending services towards the central hills, with trains operating from Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola from today.
The Podi Menike departed Colombo Fort at 5:55 a.m. on Friday, but passengers were not permitted to board as the journey was conducted as a trial run to assess the restored railway line.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, railway officials and representatives from the Ministry of Transport travelled on the train from Rambukkana. Engineers and railway workers who played a role in restoring the damaged railway line also joined the historic trial journey.
The train received a special welcome at Peradeniya Railway Station, where a ceremony was held to mark the return of services to the area.
Following the ceremony, the Podi Menike was scheduled to continue its journey from Peradeniya to Gampola Railway Station.
The resumption represents an important step in restoring railway connectivity to Sri Lanka’s upcountry region after months of disruption caused by the cyclone.
