railfan99
Established Member
28 November 2025's Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive damage to the wonderful Sir Lankan rail network.
As of yesterday, on the Kandy-Badulla hill country line, only the section from Ambewela to Badulla is open.
The main Colombo Fort-Kandy line is also closed between Rambukkana and Kandy IIRC.
It is likely to be a few more months before these sections reopen. A shame since having been there twice, they are great railways with semaphore signals, crossing loops, Station Masters at almost every station who look after the station gardens including often topiary as well as good patronage and a variety of trains including the occasional mixed train.
FURTHER INFORMATION 2 February 2026:
3 weeks ago Sri Lankan Railways suggested Maho Jct to Anuradhapura would be closed for three months. Two weeks ago, this closure was extended another 80km north to Omanthai, then 2 days ago the railways indicated closure north of Anuradhapura would be postponed for a week, but this morning it was stated the railway was now closed from Tuesday 3 February from Omanthai to Jaffna.
As of yesterday, on the Kandy-Badulla hill country line, only the section from Ambewela to Badulla is open.
The main Colombo Fort-Kandy line is also closed between Rambukkana and Kandy IIRC.
It is likely to be a few more months before these sections reopen. A shame since having been there twice, they are great railways with semaphore signals, crossing loops, Station Masters at almost every station who look after the station gardens including often topiary as well as good patronage and a variety of trains including the occasional mixed train.
FURTHER INFORMATION 2 February 2026:
3 weeks ago Sri Lankan Railways suggested Maho Jct to Anuradhapura would be closed for three months. Two weeks ago, this closure was extended another 80km north to Omanthai, then 2 days ago the railways indicated closure north of Anuradhapura would be postponed for a week, but this morning it was stated the railway was now closed from Tuesday 3 February from Omanthai to Jaffna.
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