What triggered my memory was an old (very) studio photo of my childhood self staring glumly at the camera while my infant sister timidly leaned towards me. Proudly embossed at the photo’s bottom was “Terminus Studio”. I seem to remember this venerable institution yet standing, till the early 1950s, on the triangular corner where Panchikawatta [...]
It travels through the mountains slowly like a snake, but roaring as if the sound of the engine and the horn notifying the people a train is on the way in this single track leading to the central mountains of Sri Lanka. But this train is very different from others. It’s not an ordinary passenger [...]
1953 was the year, when a new chapter in railway history was made. The Ceylon Government Railway ordered the first ever diesel locomotives to its mainline passenger service. The unforgettable Brush Bagnalls were purchased. Then in 1954 under Colombo Plan, the Canadian Government gifted five locomotives. The locomotives were called as G12, in Canada and [...]
Trade union suppression in the Railway Department following the July 10 strike has irked its employees, All Ceylon Railway Employees General Union (ACREGU) told The Morning Leader. Employees allied to the JVP affiliated ACREGU have come under attack following the July 10 token strike and instructions have allegedly been given to all heads of departments [...]
The Ceylon Government Railway was formed in 1862 after representations made by planters to build a Railway to the Hill Country for the transport of tea and coffee to the Colombo Port. Bullock carts could not cope up with the production. Six alternative routes were proposed due to the difficult terrain from Rambukkana to Kadugannawa. [...]
Upgrading the railways system with new infrastructure facilities, the Ceylon Government Railway has extended the Railway ‘signalling system’ up to Matara, replacing the old system of ‘exchanging tablets’. The new system is introduced to ensure control of railway traffic safely, said General Manager of Railways, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan. The system will be maintained through [...]
Railway workers are up in arms over the recent decision to reduce the Treasury subsidy on their season tickets under the recent increase of train fares to meet at least a part of the operating costs. The All Ceylon Railway Employees’ Union said although they understand the need to cut down on losses urgently the [...]
The All Ceylon Railway Employees Union (ACREU) charged that unnecessary purchases, wastage and corruption during procurements by the Railway Department and the failure to collect money owed for the leased property owned by the Department had resulted in the loss of income to the Railway Department. ACREU General Secretary Sumathipala Manavadu said they had complained [...]