Kandy railway station
7°17′20″N 80°37′53″E / 7.2888°N 80.63151°E / 7.2888; 80.63151
Matale Line
Tikiri Menike -to Hatton and Colombo Fort
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![]() ![]() Kandy Railway Station Location within Sri Lanka | |
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Kandy railway station (Sinhala: මහනුවර දුම්රිය ස්ථානය, Tamil: கண்டி ரயில் நிலையம்) is a major railway station in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways and is the primary railway station in Kandy and one of the most significant in the central hills.[citation needed] The station sits on a branch of the Main Line, leading to the Matale Line.[2]
History
The Colombo to Kandy railway line (what is now known as the Main line) was extended in stages, with the first stage to Ambepussa completed in December 1864 and the next stage to Polgahawela by November 1866. Following the construction of bridges over the Mahaweli Ganga and the Maha Oya the last rail tracks were laid on 15 April 1867.[3] The next day, the first steam engine entered the Kandy Railway Station. On 30 April 1867, the first train, a goods service, completed the journey from Colombo to Kandy, with the first passenger service commencing on 1 August 1867.[3][4][5] Initially, there were two train passenger/mail services, leaving at the respective ends of the service at 7:00am, with the overall journey taking 4.5 hours.[3][5]
The railway station at Kandy was constructed on a site known as Deiyange Wela. It is 512 m (1,680 ft) above sea level and 120 km (75 mi) from Colombo.[5]
Architecture
Kandy Railway Station features both Modernist and Victorian architecture. The station building is of the Art Moderne style, incorporating curving forms and long horizontal lines. It uses concrete massing to create a geometric form. Its minimalist walls and simple, bold forms contrast sharply with the highly ornamented, traditional architecture that surrounds it.[6]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Kandy_Bahnhof_2017-10-21_-_3.jpg/200px-Kandy_Bahnhof_2017-10-21_-_3.jpg)
The structure sheltering the platforms is of an older Victorian design. The structure displays stylish arches and intricate metalwork.
Refurbishment
In February 2008 Chevron Sri Lanka provided RS. 7 million to Sri Lanka Railways to renovate and restore the railway station.[7] The refurbishment was completed by June 2008, prior to the commencement of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit. The works included drainage, landscaping, colour washing of the station building, renovation of lobby flooring, installation of new platform benches, waste collection facilities, and the renovation of toilets and passenger waiting rooms.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Daily News". IESL proposes railway electrification project. 25 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
- ^ "The Rail Routes of Sri Lanka". Model Railroad Club. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Wijenayake, Walter (25 July 2009). "How Sri Lankan railways came into being". The Island. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Cameos of the past: First train on line to Badulla from Colombo". Sunday Observer. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "History of Sri Lanka Railway - Part 2". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "The Project for Formulation of Greater Kandy Urban Plan (G". Chapter 10 - Present Condition of the Heritage Area. Japan International Cooperation Agency: 10–6. September 2018.
- ^ Fernandopulle, Lalin (25 May 2008). "Facelift for Kandy railway station". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Silva, Dhananjani (2 March 2008). "Kandy rails raring to go". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
External links
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- v
- t
- e
- Note: this includes landmarks in Kandy and its fringe areas
- Kandy City Centre
- Kandy Municipal Market
- Royal Mall
- Torrington Shopping Complex
- 2nd Volunteer Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- Asgiri Maha Viharaya
- Buddhist Publication Society
- District Secretariat, Kandy
- General Post Office
- Institute of Fundamental Studies
- Kandyan Art Association
- Kandy Court Complex
- Kandy Municipal Council
- Malwathu Maha Viharaya
- Mayor of Kandy
- List of schools in Kandy
- National Hospital (Teaching), Kandy
Hotels |
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- Arthur's Seat
- British Garrison Cemetery
- Kandy War Cemetery
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
- Dorwin reservoir
- E. L. Senanayake Children's Park
- George E. De Silva Park
- Kandy Lake
- Hanthana Mountain Range
- Alagalla Mountain Range
- Knuckles mountain range
- Mahaweli River
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
- Udawattakele Forest Reserve
- Wales Park
- Asgiriya railway station
- D.S. Senanayake Veediya
- Kandy bus station
- Kandy railway station
- Katugastota railway station
- Mahiyawa railway station
- Peradeniya Junction railway station
- Sangaraja Mawatha
- Sarasavi Uyana railway station
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha
- Sri Dalada Veediya
- William Gopallawa Mawatha
- Yatinuwara Veediya
- See also
- Events in Kandy