Since the operation of the first train in Sri Lanka on 27th December 1864, from Colombo to Ambepussa, the next few decades witnessed rapid expansion of the railway network in the country. Main cities such as Kandy, Haputale, Bandarawela, Badulla, Galle and Matara, were gradually linked by rail to Colombo and the Northern railway link to Jaffna via Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi was connected in 1905.
The report of the Jaffna Railway Commission on a railway line to Jaffna was published in 1891. It recommended immediate construction of a line from Polgahawela to Kurunegala and a survey of a line to Jaffna.
The Kurunegala extension was approved in 1892 and opened on February 14, 1894. The light broad gauge line reached Maho in 1899 and reached Anuradhapura on November 1, 1904. The Northern Line was initiated by the building of the line from Anuradhapura to Madawachchiya and Vavuniya and then through the wilderness of the Vanni, crossing into the Jaffna peninsula at Elephant Pass. Meanwhile in 1902, the building of the Northern Line had also commenced from the other end, on the Jaffna peninsula. The line linking Kankesanturai, Jaffna and Pallai was opened in 1902, initially from Kankesanturai to Chavakachcheri and through to Pallai. Pallai was reached also from the south and the Northern Line was complete on 1st of August 1905.
The creation of the Northern line acted as a catalyst for social change. It linked communities, ended the isolation of Jaffna, broke down social tradition, caste prejudices, and also spread new ideas and customs. For the first time newspapers from Colombo were available to all, which helped to increase the reading habits of the people and broaden their outlook. This also led to the growth of education, since people in Jaffna could send their children to Colombo or vice versa .
Impacts of Conflict
One of the first casualties of the conflict was the disruption and intermittent severance of linkages by the terrorists between the north and the south as early as 1985. Despite several repairs to track and bridges the line was permanently closed after the 13th June 1990. The A9 road that connects the Jaffna peninsula and the northern part was also closed after terrorists overran townships along the roadway around 1990.
Progress
The GoSL expects to make this a flagship project for rebuilding the country through rebuilding the vital Yal Devi Friendship Railway Track by making early plans for immediate construction to follow securing the northern areas. Project has commenced on the 23rd March from Vavuniya.
