Editorial
Today marks the 160th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s railway system, a milestone that should be recognised as a reflection of the nation’s potential for progress and development. However, this anniversary serves more as a reminder of what has been lost over the years — a once-promising network that has been squandered through corruption, mismanagement, and political interference. What began in 1864 as an ambition to modernise and connect the island has long since degenerated into an example of institutional failure, neglect, and broken promises.
The railway, once a symbol of national pride and cultural connectivity, has been tragically neglected and dismantled in Sri Lanka to appease a privileged few. The trains that still run on our tracks are little more than relics from the 1960s, once used by developed nations and now preserved as historical artefacts in their museums.
When the first railway line from Colombo to Kandy opened, it was more than just a new transport system. It was a means of integrating the country, boosting trade, and connecting the rural areas with bustling cities. Under British colonial rule, the railway was seen as an essential tool for economic expansion, with the promise of greater mobility and national cohesion. Yet, over the years, that potential has been squandered. What was meant to be a cornerstone of development has instead become a symbol of neglect, stagnation, and political corruption.
The root of the railway’s decline can be traced back to the political manipulation that has plagued it for decades. Successive governments saw the system not as a vital public service but as a political asset to be used for personal gain. Jobs and contracts were handed out not based on merit, but on political affiliation. Positions were filled by individuals with little to no understanding of railway management, leading to an erosion of expertise within the institution. This culture of patronage ensured that the railway’s leadership was not focused on improving services or expanding infrastructure, but on securing personal and political favours.
The corruption within the system was not confined to jobs alone. It extended to procurement practices, where railway contracts — for maintenance, track upgrades, and the purchase of trains — were inflated and manipulated. Money that should have gone into maintaining and improving the system instead lined the pockets of a few. The results of this corruption were immediately apparent. The trains became old and unreliable, the tracks deteriorated, and the stations fell into disrepair. What could have been a modern and efficient system became a shadow of its former self, with its services increasingly falling short of the needs of the public.
But the decline of the Sri Lankan railway is not merely about corruption and mismanagement. It is about the nation’s failure to modernise and adapt to the changing times. While other countries embraced light rail, metro systems, and high-speed trains, Sri Lanka lagged behind. Proposals to expand or improve the railway system were either ignored or rejected, often for short-sighted political reasons. The city of Colombo, choked by traffic, could have benefitted from an efficient metro system, alleviating congestion and reducing pollution. But political inaction and poor planning meant that the railway infrastructure remained stuck in the past.
Even the most basic steps, such as double tracking key routes, remained unattainable. The country’s most important railway lines, such as those connecting the capital to the north, still operate on a single track. This has resulted in delays, overcrowding, and safety risks that could have been easily addressed. Yet, the government’s refusal to make necessary investments and adopt a long-term vision for the railway system has kept it in a perpetual state of underdevelopment.
What is perhaps most tragic about the railway’s decline is the human cost of this failure. Every day, thousands of commuters endure long, uncomfortable, and often dangerous journeys. The trains, frequently overcrowded and unreliable, have become a daily nightmare for those who rely on them for transport. For many, the railway is no longer a means of travel but a daily ordeal, fraught with delays, accidents, and discomfort. Even basic safety measures — such as barriers at level crossings — have been neglected, resulting in frequent accidents and fatalities. Yet, despite the loss of life, little is done to address these issues. The government’s response is often one of indifference, offering only superficial fixes that fail to tackle the root causes of the system’s dysfunction.
The poor state of the railway system is a reflection of the wider failure of governance in Sri Lanka. The same pattern of negligence, short-sightedness, and corruption that has crippled the railway sector can be seen throughout the country’s infrastructure and public services. The government’s focus is on short-term political gain rather than long-term development, and this has resulted in a system that is no longer capable of serving the people it was meant to help.
The question now is whether Sri Lanka can reverse this trend. The potential for a world-class railway system is still there, but it requires more than just financial investment. It requires leadership, vision, and the willingness to break free from the political patronage that has stifled progress for so long. It requires the courage to prioritise the public good over personal and political interests, to take responsibility for the state of the system, and to commit to a bold and forward-thinking vision for the future.
