List of named passenger trains of Sri Lanka

This article contains a list of named passenger trains in Sri Lanka, by operator.

Sri Lanka Railways

Regular services

In the mid-1950s, Sri Lanka Railways, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala, started to name major passenger services.[1]

Old Udarata Menike express train

The Old Yal Devi train at Kurunegala, travelling between Omanthai and Colombo Fort

The Deyata Kirula ( Uttara Devi) intercity express train at Kurunegala, travelling between Kankasanthurai and Colombo Fortit will run only up to Anuradhapura railway station for a period of 5 months from 01/05/2023.

• Udarata Menike (Upcountry Maiden/Hill country Maiden) - No. 1015 & 1016[2]
  • Colombo to Badulla (Runs via Kandy)[3]
• Podi Menike (Little Maiden) - No. 1005 & 1006[2]
  • Colombo to Badulla (Runs via Kandy)[3]
• Tikiri Menike (Little Maiden) - No. 1023 & 1024
  • Colombo to Nanu Oya
• Senkadagala Menike (Maiden of “Senkadagala” – area name) - No. 1035 & 1036
  • Colombo to Kandy
• Yal Devi (Princess/Queen of Jaffna) - No. 4077& 4078[2]
  • Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai (Runs via Jaffna) [4][5]^[needs update]
• Uttara Devi (Princess/Queen of the North) - No. 4017 & 4018 [2]
  • Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai (Intercity).
• Udaya Devi or (Princess/Queen of the Rise -East) - No. 6011 & 6012[2]
  • Colombo to Batticaloa
• Rajarata Rejini (Regant of the land of kings) - No. 8085, 8086, 4085, & 4086[2]
  • Anuradhapura to Beliatta (Runs via Colombo)
• Ruhunu Kumari (Princess of “Ruhuna” – southern province) - No. 8058 & 8059[2]
  • Maradana to Matara (Runs via Colombo-fort)
• Muthu Kumari (Pearl Princess) - No. 3427 [2]
  • Panadura to Chilaw (Runs via Colombo-fort)
• Samudra Devi (Queen of the Oceans) - No. 8760 & 8327[2]
  • Maradana to Galle[6]
• Galu Kumari (Princess of Galle) - No. 8056 & 8057[2]
  • Maradana to Beliatta (Runs via Colombo-fort)
• Sagarika (Ocean Girl) - No. 8096 & 8097[2]
  • Maradana to Beliatta[7]
• Meena Gaya (Singing Fish) - No. 6079[2][8]
  • Runs between Colombo and Batticaloa
• Badulla night express
  • Colombo fort to Badulla
• Pulathisi - No. 6075[2]
  • Colombo fort to Batticloa

Discontinued services

• Boat Mail (discontinued since 23 December 1964)[9]
  • Service was operated between Colombo and Chennai, India, with ferry service to cross Rama Sethu.
• Hijra
  • Colombo Fort to Batticaloa via Trincomalee

Special services

• Bradby Express - Colombo to Kandy (connecting the Colombo and Kandy legs of the annual Bradby Shield Encounter of rugby union)[10]

Airport and aviation services

• Airport Express - Colombo Secretariat to Bandaranaike International Airport using a Hitachi Class S5 DMU4.

J.F. Tours & Travels

• Viceroy Special - Colombo to Kandy, Badulla, or Galle; by charter (Tourist excursion train powered by steam)[11]

See also

• Sri Lanka Railways

References

1. "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
2. "Sri Lanka Railways Timetable"^[usurped]
3. "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . ."
4. "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka\'s iconic Yal Devi train arrives in Jaffna after 24 years". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-15.
5. "Dailynews". President requests patriotic citizens: Join us in building Northern rail track. 2009-03-24. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21.
6. "The Island". Samudra Devi in a Tangle of Love!. 2009-07-12. Archived from the original on 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
7. "Dailynews". Fifty Sagarika train passengers fined. 2010-10-14. Archived from the original on 2010-10-17. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
8. TravelSrilanka.org (2023-08-30). "Meenagaya Train". Travel Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
9. http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-seltrain.html Famous Trains
10. "The Bradby express". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
11. "Viceroy Vintage Train Tours". Archived from the original on 2011-08-28. Retrieved 2011-07-30.