ABSTRACT
The history of railways in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and the reason for their introduction was solely commercial, but they slowly flourished across the island, expanded beyond the mere needs of commercial activities and became an important part of everyday travels. Originally known as the Ceylon Government Railways, the first piece of track was laid down by the British Governor Sir Henry Ward in 1858, and by Christmas 1864, the tracks were open for business. The first journey was from Colombo to Ambepussa, a small town on the way to Kandy, 54 km east of the capital, and the rail was finally extended to Kandy by 1867. By 1926, work was completed on the line to the port of Trincomalee. The Colombo Terminus Station was the first station.
