Rail was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1864 to transport coffee from plantations in the hill country district
            of Kandy to the port city of Colombo
            on its way to Europe and the world market. The coffee blight of 1871 destroyed many a fine plantation and
            tea replaced coffee.
            With the development of tea plantations in the 1880s, the joint-stock companies swallowed up the former
            individual proprietorship of the coffee era.
            Under corporate ownership and management control by companies, the process of production of tea became more
            sophisticated and needed more and more
            railways built to the Kandyan highlands. To send tea to Colombo and to transport labour, machinery, manure,
            rice, and foodstuff, etc to Kandy,
            another 100 miles of railways were constructed in the tea planting districts to serve the expanding tea
            domain.
            To serve the coconut plantations flourishing in the west, southwest and northwest coastal areas of the
            country, and the wet inland
            rubber plantations below the tea belt, railway lines were built in the wake of these agricultural
            developments.
            Thereafter, the need for cheap and safe travel in order to open up the hinterland of the country led to the
            expansion of the railway.
            An extension of the Main Line to Kandy was made north to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, going further
            north to Kankesanturai and west to
            Talaimannar to connect the island with South India by ferry, to bring Indian labour for the tea and rubber
            plantations, and also import rice and
            other food stuffs not indigenously produced in sufficient quantities.
            Towards the east, there was little economic justification to lay a line to the dry zone in that direction,
            but it became strategically
            worthwhile to lay a line to the natural harbour of Trincomalee and also connect it to the provincial capital
            of Batticaloa.
            These lines were laid with light (21 kg) section rails, as was the narrow gauge section to serve the rubber
            plantations east of Colombo, known as the Kelani Valley Line.
            Up country, a similar branch line was laid from Nanu Oya on the Main Line through very difficult terrain to
            serve the tea plantations around
            Nuwara Eliya. Track alignment was defined in this section about 140 years ago, when economic considerations
            were vastly different.
            The railways achieved modal superiority with speeds of 25 to 40 kmph in the hill country and 65 to 80 in the
            low country. Civil engineering criteria was influenced by the economic need to minimize cuts and fills,
            permitting gradients to 2 to 3 % and minimizing bridge lengths. As a result,
            the alignment here is winding with very sharp curves.
   `
            In the early days of the railways, the bulk of the freight was carried to the port of Colombo and as the
            port expanded,
            rail lines were laid to serve every pier.
        
Intercity & Express trains
Available class types : 1st ,2nd and 3rdIntercity, Express & Night mail trains
Available class types : 1st ,2nd and 3rdIntercity & Express trains
Available class types : 1st ,2nd, 3rd and observations saloonIntercity & Express trains
Available class types : 1st ,2nd, 3rd and observations saloonNight mail train
Available class types : 2nd and 3rdIntercity, Express & Night mail trains
Available class types : 1st, 2nd and 3rdNight mail train
Available class types : 2nd classSlow train
Available class types : Observations saloonYou may make payments using any of the below modes:
Credit/Debit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners, Discover
Scan & Pay: LANKAQR
You agree that the fund source (eg: Credit card) details provided by you for the Sri Lanka Railways online seat reservation service is correct and accurate and you shall not use a fund source, that is not lawfully owned by you or the use of which is not authorized by the lawful owner thereof. You further agree and undertake to provide correct and valid details.
You agree, understand and confirm that your personal data including without limitation, details relating to payment instruments transmitted over the Internet may be susceptible to misuse, hacking, theft and/ or fraud and the Sri Lanka Railways, SLT-Mobitel or your Payment Service Provider(s) have no control over such matters.
The Sri Lanka Railways (including its service providers and suppliers), the Payment Service Provider(s) and its affiliates and associates shall not be liable, at any time, for any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of information contained on the website.
Both Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing service provider is subjected to the terms & conditions and the policies and procedures of the payment processing networks and facilitators.
You warrant, agree and confirm the following when you initiate a payment transaction through the Service and/or issue an online payment instruction and/or provide your payment instrument/mode details:
You are responsible for all transactions performed utilizing your preferred payment instrument. Server Slow Down/Session Timeout: In case the Website or Payment Service Provider’s webpage, that is linked to the Website, is experiencing any server related issues like 'slow down' or 'failure' or 'session timeout', you shall, before initiating the second payment, check whether your fund source has been already debited or not and accordingly resort to one of the following options:
| Number hours to the train departure time | |||
| More than 168 hours (7 days +) | Less than 168 hours but more than 48 hours ( 2 days > 7 days) | Less than 48 hours ( less than 2 days) | |
| Refund percentage (%) from the ticket fee | 75% | 50% | 0% | 
SLR shall not be held liable for any damages; loss or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can SLR be held liable for personal injury, accident, illness or death while guests are on an excursion made available by the train.
SLR shall also not be held responsible, when circumstances beyond its control lead to an interruption, early termination, delay or cancellation of any particular trip. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to instances of vis major/force majeure and/or casus fortuitus (natural causes such as floods and other natural disasters, fortuitous and unforeseen events, etc.).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service Provider] shall not be liable to you and/or to any third party for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental and/or punitive damages, lost profit, lost revenue, mental distress, inconvenience, hardship, loss/corruption or destruction of data and/or the like. Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service Provider are not liable for any claims, loss and/or damage suffered by any person due to fraudulent use of that person’s debit/credit card and/or for refunding any payments made through such debit/credit card. Sri Lanka Railways’ and its mTicketing Service Provider’s liability is excluded and limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
                    You shall indemnify and hold harmless Sri Lanka Railways, its mTicketing Service
                    Provider and their respective employees and directors from and against any and
                    all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, suits, proceedings, costs and
                    expenses, arising out of and/or in any way connected with your use of the
                    Services and/or arising from your breach of any representation, warranty, terms
                    and/or conditions specified herein.
                
                    Children from the age of 3 (three) years and younger sharing a seat with their
                    parents travel free of charge (maximum of 1 (one)child per adult). Due to space
                    constraints, SLR will not be able to accommodate any additional seat(s) to
                    accommodate the infant / children. Children will have to share the seat with
                    their parents / guardians. Should this pose a problem, SLR recommends that the
                    guests book an additional seat for the children (in which case the children's
                    rate does not apply and the standard adult rate for the seat shall apply).
                    Children from the age of 3 (three) years and older pay full adult rates. SLR
                    does not serve or provide special meals for children and/ or infants or adults.
                    Children should be kept under strict adult supervision by their parents/
                    guardians and should not inconvenience other guests.
                
                    For safety reasons, no guest is allowed to bring dangerous goods such as
                    firearms, flammable substances, and fireworks, poisonous or toxic substances on
                    board.
                
                    No pets are allowed onboard.
                
Each adult passenger will be allowed, to bring on board their luggage, free of charge as per SLR’s general regulation. (Refer to general commercial rules set out below. For any enquiries meet a railway office.) The commuters will have to store luggage in the Luggage cabin by themselves. Luggage/baggage stored in the Luggage cabin is subject to availability. SLR would not provide additional space to accommodate their luggage. Heavy luggage is exclusively prohibited as little space available for commuters to store their luggage.
As per general commercial rules of SLR, followings are the limitations applicable on free luggage based on the type of ticket.
                    Passengers are strictly recommended to ensure that their luggage is(are)
                    securely locked. SLR is not responsible for any stolen or lost luggage.
                
                    You agree that Sri Lanka Railways at its sole discretion may revise the Terms
                    and Conditions herein at any time without assigning any reasons therefore and
                    you agree to be bound by all such revisions made by Sri Lanka Railways from time
                    to time. It is your responsibility to periodically review the latest version of
                    the Terms and Conditions uploaded at
                    
The SLR retains the right to suspend or terminate this Service at any time without any notice to you.
                    Passengers must provide the booking reference number along with their NIC or passport to the counter
                    and Tickets will not be issued to 3rd party for any reason.
                
These terms and conditions and the Service shall be subject to and construed in accordance with the laws of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and all disputes pertaining thereto shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Sri Lanka.
Any enquiries or complaints should be forwarded in writing to the Deputy General Manager (commercial) - Sri Lanka Railways Headquarters, Colombo-10.
If you wish to cancel the journey, you have to visit the nearest Railway station where the
                        mTicketing service is available together with reservation tickets issued to you and it is a
                        mandatory requirement to provide your NIC/passport to the counter for verification purpose.
                        Fill the appropriate application supplied carefully.
                        Cancellation of a ticket will be made in accordance with the departmental policies in force at
                        the time of request.
                    
SLR shall not be held liable for any damages; loss or theft of personal luggage and belongings,
                        nor can SLR be held liable for personal injury, accident, illness or death while guests are on
                        an excursion made available by the train.
                        SLR shall also not be held responsible, when circumstances beyond its control lead to an
                        interruption, early termination, delay or cancellation of any particular trip. Such
                        circumstances
                        shall include, but not be limited to instances of vis major/force majeure and/or casus fortuitus
                        (natural causes such as floods and other natural disasters, fortuitous and unforeseen events,
                        etc.).
                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service
                        Provider] shall not be liable to you and/or to any third party for any direct, indirect,
                        consequential, special, incidental and/or punitive damages, lost profit, lost revenue, mental
                        distress, inconvenience, hardship, loss/corruption or destruction of data and/or the like. Sri
                        Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service Provider are not liable for any claims, loss and/or
                        damage suffered by any person due to fraudulent use of that person’s debit/credit card and/or
                        for refunding any payments made through such debit/credit card. Sri Lanka Railways’ and its
                        mTicketing Service Provider’s liability is excluded and limited to the maximum extent
                        permitted by law.
                        You shall indemnify and hold harmless Sri Lanka Railways, its mTicketing Service Provider
                        and their respective employees and directors from and against any and all claims, losses,
                        damages, liabilities, demands, suits, proceedings, costs and expenses, arising out of and/or
                        in any way connected with your use of the Services and/or arising from your breach of any
                        representation, warranty, terms and/or conditions specified herein.
                    
Children from the age of 3 (three) years and younger sharing a seat with their parents travel
                        free of charge (maximum of 1 (one)child per adult). Due to space constraints, SLR will not be
                        able to accommodate any additional seat(s) to accommodate the infant / children. Children
                        will have to share the seat with their parents / guardians. Should this pose a problem, SLR
                        recommends that the guests book an additional seat for the children (in which case the
                        children's rate does not apply and the standard adult rate for the seat shall apply). Children
                        from the age of 3 (three) years and older pay full adult rates. SLR does notserve or provide
                        special mealsfor children and/ or infants or adults. Children should be kept under strict adult
                        supervision by their parents/ guardians and should not inconvenience other guests.
                    
For safety reasons, no guest is allowed to bring dangerous goods such as firearms, flammable
                        substances, and fireworks, poisonous or toxic substances on board.
                    
No pets are allowed onboard.
                        
                    
Each adult passenger will be allowed, to bring on board their luggage, free of charge as per
                        SLR’s general regulation. (Refer to general commercial rulesset out below. For any enquiries
                        meet a railway office.) The commuters will have to store luggage in the Luggage cabin by
                        themselves. Luggage/baggage stored in the Luggage cabin is subject to availability. SLR would
                        not provide additional space to accommodate their luggage. Heavy luggage is exclusively
                        prohibited as little space available for commuters to store their luggage.
                        As per general commercial rules of SLR, followings are the limitations applicable on free
                        luggage based on the type of ticket.
                        First Class tickets holder : 40 Kg.
                        Second Class tickets holder : 35 Kg.
                        Third Class tickets holder : 25 Kg.
                        Passengers are strictly recommended to ensure that their luggage is(are) securely locked.
                        SLR is not responsible for any stolen or lost luggage.
                    
You agree that Sri Lanka Railways at its sole discretion may revise the Terms and Conditions
                        herein at any time without assigning any reasons therefore and you agree to be bound by all
                        such revisions made by Sri Lanka Railways from time to time. It is your responsibility to
                        periodically review the latest version of the Terms and Conditions uploaded at
                        http://www.railway.gov.lk/ to stay informed of updates.
                        The SLR retains the right to suspend or terminate this Service at any time without any notice
                        to you.
                        Passengers must provide the temporary booking reference number, warrant along with their
                        NIC to the counter and Tickets will not be issued to 3rd party for any reason.
                    
These terms and conditions and the Service shall be subject to and construed in accordance
                        with the laws of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and all disputes pertaining
                        thereto shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Sri Lanka.
                        Any enquiries or complaints should be forwarded in writing to the Deputy General Manager
                        (commercial) - Sri Lanka Railways Headquarters, Colombo-10
                    
                           SLR shall not be held liable for any damages; loss or theft of personal luggage and
                            belongings, nor can SLR be held liable for personal injury, accident, illness or
                            death while guests are on an excursion made available by the train.
                           
                            
                            SLR shall also not be held responsible, when circumstances beyond its control lead to an
                            interruption, early termination, delay or cancellation of any particular trip. Such
                            circumstances shall include, but not be limited to instances of vis major/force majeure
                            and/or casus fortuitous (natural causes such as floods and other natural disasters,
                            fortuitous and unforeseen events, etc.).
                            
                            
                           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service
                           Provider] shall not be liable to you and/or to any third party for any direct, indirect,
                           consequential, special, incidental and/or punitive damages, lost profit, lost revenue,
                           mental distress, inconvenience, hardship, loss/corruption or destruction of data and/or
                           the like. Sri Lanka Railways and its mTicketing Service Provider are not liable for any
                           claims, loss and/or damage suffered by any person due to fraudulent use of that pensioner's
                           Trip ID. Sri Lanka Railways’ and its mTicketing Service Provider’s liability is excluded and
                           limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
                           
                            
                            You shall indemnify and hold harmless Sri Lanka Railways, its mTicketing Service Provider
                             and their respective employees and directors from and against any and all claims, losses,
                             damages, liabilities, demands, suits, proceedings, costs and expenses, arising out of
                             and/or in any way connected with your use of the Services and/or arising from your
                             breach of any representation, warranty, terms and/or conditions specified herein.
                            
                            
                           Children from the age of 3 (three) years and younger sharing a seat with their
                           parents travel free of charge (maximum of 1 (one)child per adult). Due to space
                           constraints, SLR will not be able to accommodate any additional seat(s) to
                           accommodate the infant / children. Children will have to share the seat with their
                           parents / guardians.
                           
                            
SLR does not serve or provide special meals for children and/ or infants or adults. Children should be kept under strict adult supervision by their parents/ guardians and should not inconvenience other guests.
                            For safety reasons, no guest is allowed to bring dangerous goods such as firearms,
                            flammable substances, and fireworks, poisonous or toxic substances on board.
                            
                            
No pets are allowed onboard.
                                
                            
                            Each adult passenger will be allowed, to bring on board their luggage,
                            free of charge as per SLR’s general regulation. (Refer to general commercial
                            rulesset out below. For any enquiries meet a railway office.) The commuters will
                            have to store luggage in the Luggage cabin by themselves. Luggage/baggage stored
                            in the Luggage cabin is subject to availability. SLR would not provide additional
                            space to accommodate their luggage. Heavy luggage is exclusively prohibited as little
                            space available for commuters to store their luggage.
                                
                                As per general commercial rules of SLR, followings are the limitations applicable
                                on free luggage based on the type of ticket.
                                
                                First Class tickets holder : 40 Kg.
                                Second Class tickets holder : 35 Kg.
                                Third Class tickets holder : 25 Kg.
                                Passengers are strictly recommended to ensure that their luggage is(are) securely locked.
                                SLR is not responsible for any stolen or lost luggage.
                                
                            
You agree that Sri Lanka Railways at its sole discretion may revise the Terms and Conditions herein at any time without assigning any reasons therefore and you agree to be bound by all such revisions made by Sri Lanka Railways from time to time. It is your responsibility to periodically review the latest version of the Terms and Conditions uploaded at http://www.railway.gov.lk/ to stay informed of