By train across Sri Lanka | DW Documentary
DW Documentary・20 minutes read
Mainline Railway in Sri Lanka offers a picturesque journey from Colombo to Ella, showcasing the country's scenic beauty and colonial past while providing comfort and affordability for tourists. The railway system's historical significance in transporting goods like tea, challenges faced during construction, and unique experiences along the route contribute to the potential for developing the area as a Heritage Railway for tourism.
Insights
- The train journey from Colombo to Ella in Sri Lanka, spanning 270 kilometers, offers a picturesque route through the highlands via Kandy, showcasing the country's colonial past, local textile industry, and historical significance in transporting tea.
- The maintenance of Sri Lanka's railway system, especially in mountainous regions, involves unique challenges like heavy rainfall, necessitating the use of trolleys for inspections and repairs, highlighting the potential for developing the area as a Heritage Railway for tourism and showcasing the dedication of employees facing adverse weather, animals, and terrain.
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Recent questions
What is the significance of Sri Lanka's railway system?
The railway system in Sri Lanka is highly regarded for its comfort, punctuality, and affordability. It plays a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers across the country, offering a unique glimpse into the island's colonial past and scenic beauty. The fares are relatively inexpensive, ranging from 1.50 to 8 Euros, making it accessible to a wide range of travelers. Additionally, the railway journey provides an opportunity to witness various cultural and historical landmarks along the route, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists alike.
What attractions can be seen on a train journey from Colombo to Ella?
The train journey from Colombo to Ella covers approximately 270 kilometers and offers a picturesque route through the highlands via Kandy. Along the way, travelers can witness the stunning landscapes of Sri Lanka, including lush greenery, tea plantations, and majestic mountains. The journey includes a stop at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where injured elephants are cared for, providing a unique experience for tourists. Additionally, passengers can explore cultural hubs like Kandy, known for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, and Nuwara Eliya, a hill station reminiscent of colonial England.
What challenges did the construction of Sri Lanka's railway face?
The construction of Sri Lanka's railway system faced various challenges, including severe conditions and the need for manual labor. Despite these obstacles, the railway construction also led to the discovery of gemstones, contributing to Sri Lanka's rich tradition of goldsmithry. The challenging terrain, heavy rainfall, and difficult weather conditions in the mountains posed significant obstacles to building and maintaining the railway infrastructure, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the workers involved in the project.
What is the historical significance of the railway in Sri Lanka?
The railway in Sri Lanka has a rich historical significance, particularly in the transportation of tea from the highlands to Colombo. The railway played a crucial role in the country's economy by facilitating the export of tea, one of Sri Lanka's vital industrial exports. While its role in goods transportation has diminished over time, the railway continues to be an essential mode of transportation for both locals and tourists, offering a unique perspective on the island's history and culture.
What cultural experiences can be had on a train journey through Sri Lanka?
A train journey through Sri Lanka offers a range of cultural experiences, from visiting historical landmarks like the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy to exploring colonial-era hill stations like Nuwara Eliya. Travelers can witness the local textile industry in action, with women employed in textile companies producing industrial exports. Additionally, the journey provides insights into Sri Lanka's colonial past, showcasing British influences in activities like horse races and golf at the Hill Club. Overall, the train ride offers a comprehensive cultural immersion into the diverse heritage of Sri Lanka.
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Summary
00:00
Sri Lanka's Scenic Railway Journey
- Mainline Railway is renowned for its scenic beauty, considered one of the most beautiful railway lines globally.
- Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, has undergone significant changes post the end of a 25-year Civil War in 2009.
- The island, once known as Ceylon, is a popular tourist destination best explored by train, offering a glimpse into its colonial past.
- The train journey from Colombo to Ella, covering around 270 kilometers, is a picturesque route through the highlands via Kandy.
- Sri Lankans take pride in their railway system for its comfort, punctuality, and affordability, with fares ranging from 1.50 to 8 Euros.
- The journey includes a stop at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where injured elephants are nursed back to health, offering a unique experience for tourists.
- The railway construction faced challenges, with severe conditions and manual labor, but it also unearthed gemstones, contributing to Sri Lanka's goldsmithry tradition.
- The journey continues through Kandy, a significant cultural hub with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth housing a revered Buddhist relic.
- The train ride showcases the local textile industry, with women employed in textile companies producing Sri Lanka's vital industrial exports.
- The railway's historical significance in transporting tea from the highlands to Colombo is highlighted, although its role in goods transportation has diminished over time.
27:52
"Colonial Charm and Challenges in Sri Lanka"
- Nuwara Eliya, a hill station at 1900 meters, was called "Little England" by the British, offering a glimpse into colonial life with activities like horse races and golf at the Hill Club.
- Sri Lanka's most sophisticated Golf Club, started by British planters, requires temporary club membership for visitors to play on the 18-hole course, shaping the town's life for 125 years.
- Maintenance of the railway in Sri Lanka, especially in the mountains, involves using trolleys for inspections and repairs due to heavy rainfall causing damage during the wet season.
- A British manor house at a higher altitude now houses a monastery run by Father Michael, where an industry making jam from elephant apples has been maintained for almost 50 years.
- The train journey through Sri Lanka's mountains on a broad gauge Railway, reaching the highest station at 3881 meters, showcases the challenges faced by employees due to weather, animals, and terrain, highlighting the potential for developing the area as a Heritage Railway for tourism.
