Jaffna Intercity Express: A Vital Link Between Colombo and the North-by Kalani-eLanka The railway line between Colombo and Jaffna has a long history dating back to the British colonial period. However, due to the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), train services to the north were severely disrupted. In 2014, the Northern Line was fully restored, and the Jaffna Intercity Express was introduced as part of efforts to enhance connectivity and economic development in the region. Route and Schedule The train runs on the Northern Line, covering a distance of approximately 400 kilometers. The journey takes around 6.5 to 7 hours, making it a faster alternative to road travel. The route includes key stops such as: Colombo Fort Polgahawela Kurunegala Anuradhapura Vavuniya Kilinochchi Jaffna There are both daytime and nighttime services, providing flexibility for passengers traveling for business, education, tourism, or family visits. Features and Comfort The Jaffna Intercity Express offers ...
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eLanka Newsletter – 16th March 2025 – 5th Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Alcohol consumption is a nuanced issue, with a range of benefits and risks to consider. By understanding these factors, we can make informed decisions about our alcohol consumption. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake The Unbully Project – The time for anti-bullying laws is now! Chenaya Kulatunga and Kajanga Kulatunga Former Royal, NCC and Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle has proved his credentials as the top ICC Match Referee Kaleidoscope 253 ft Taru, Bilesha Weeraratne, Cinnamon Women, Gangster Women, Bodybuilding Women, A multitude of triumphs of multifaceted Deshabandu Srimath Indarajith Liyanage – By Sunil Thenabadu THE CHORISTERS PICNIC OF 1957 – by Bernard VanCuylenburg SUNDAY CHOICE – Brother, let me be your servant.–A Message for Lent-By Charles Schokman Sri Lanka: St. Antony feast Katchatheevu – ...
The Sri Lankan Civil War: A Historical Overview-by Kalani-eLanka The Sri Lankan Civil War was a protracted and devastating conflict that lasted from 1983 to 2009, fought between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist militant organization seeking an independent Tamil state in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The roots of the civil war can be traced back to ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. After Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule in 1948, successive governments implemented policies that marginalized Tamils, such as the Sinhala Only Act of 1956, which made Sinhala the official language, and university admission policies that reduced Tamil representation. These grievances led to the rise of Tamil nationalist movements demanding greater rights and autonomy. The conflict escalated on July 23, 1983, in what became known as “Black July,” when anti-Tamil riots ...
Exploring voices from Kayts Island in Jaffna-By Shabeer Mohamed in Jaffna Source:Ceylontoday Our Citizen Dialogue journey took us next to the Jaffna District, where we ventured not into Jaffna town but into smaller, lesser-heard villages and towns beyond the urban centre. Jaffna is known for its vibrant historical city life, but its rural populace, comprising a significant portion of the district, often remains under-represented in mainstream media. Determined to amplify these voices, we set out to connect with ordinary citizens in these communities. During the last Parliamentary Elections, the National People’s Power Party made history by winning three Parliamentary seats in the Jaffna Electoral District, marking a shift that challenged the dominance of the region’s traditional Tamil political parties. This watershed moment secured the party over 80,000 votes; a significant political turning point for the region. Our exploration of Jaffna led us to Kayts Island, a place with a storied history ...
Lasantha Wickrematunge and his mark on the nation – By Gamini de Silva Source :ceylontoday Lasantha Wickrematunge, the late Journalist, politician and broadcaster remains one of Sri Lanka’s most significant and revered figures. Lasantha’s career was marked as an ardent defence of civil liberties and a fearlessness in the face of immense danger, qualities that have left its badge on the nation. Wickrematunge’s most prominent contribution to Sri Lanka was his mark on the Media, particularly during a time when Sri Lanka was engulfed in war and political instability. As the Editor of The Sunday Leader, he used his platform to hold power to account, fearlessly addressing issues that many others would avoid. This included exposing government corruption, human atrocities and the mismanagement of public resources. What set Lasantha apart was his dedication to virtue. Despite the rising threat of violence against journalists, especially during the period of escalating violence ...
Elephant Pass: A Strategic Gateway in Sri Lanka-by Kalani-eLanka Elephant Pass, known in Tamil as “Anai Iravu,” is a strategically crucial narrow strip of land located in northern Sri Lanka. This geographical feature links the Jaffna Peninsula with the mainland, serving as a critical gateway for both logistical and military movements. Elephant Pass has historically held significant strategic importance due to its unique position and has been a focal point in Sri Lanka’s civil conflict. Elephant Pass connects the Jaffna Peninsula to the mainland, making it a key transit point for anyone traveling to or from the peninsula. The area encompasses a causeway and a series of lagoons, with the narrowest point being about 600 meters wide. This natural bottleneck has made it a vital point for controlling access to Jaffna, which is the capital of the Northern Province and a major cultural and economic center for the Tamil population ...
Mayor, Biden share a moment President speaks with Arulampalam family from White House By Stephen Underwood Hartford Courant image source:linkedin Before Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam headed to the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House last month, he dusted off a beloved wool coat that had belonged to his grandfather to bring a piece of his family with him. The coat sparked an emotional exchange with the president of the United States. “My grandfather bought the coat when we left Sri Lanka and moved to England. When he passed away, my grandmother gave it to me,” Arulampalam said Wednesday. “I was thinking about that when I was in the Blue Room of the White House and started to be overcome with emotions.” Arulampalam’s family fled Sri Lanka in 1983 at the start of the Sri Lankan Civil War and moved to England before settling in Zimbabwe. Arulampalam relocated with ...
THE JUNGLE AND THE SEA AT BELVOIR ST THEATRE View the rehersal photos in the video below Please view additional photos of Rehearsal photos on eLanka FB S.Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack, the award-winning creative powerhouses behind Counting and Cracking, return with The Jungle and the Sea, showing from 12 November 2022 to 18 December 2022 at the Belvoir Street Theatre. The Jungle and the Sea takes the classical stories of the Mahabharatha and Antigone, and builds a new epic bringing to the forefront decades of untold histories of the Sri Lankan civil war. Themes that all Sri Lankans have a connection to – surviving loss, rebuilding lives and discovering what a reimagined future can bring. The Jungle and the Sea is a companion piece to Belvoir’s critically acclaimed Counting and Cracking, following the production’s successful tour to Edinburgh and Birmingham in August 2022. It is rare to see a nuanced ...
