View from the top of Little Adams Peak. Ella, Sri Lanka, 2014.

Two Buddhist monks rest on a bench while young military cadets practise drills in the background. Galle fort, Sri Lanka, 2014.

The railway network was introduced by the British colonial government in 1864. The main reason for building a railway system in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was to transport tea and coffee from the hill country to Colombo. Initially the service began with the Main Line of 54 kilometres connecting Colombo and Ambepussa. Sir Guilford Lindsey Molesworth became the first chief engineer and later Director General of the government railways. During this time, many Sri Lankans referred to the trains as the Anguru Kaka Wathura Bibi Duwana Yakada Yaka (the coal-eating, water-drinking, sprinting, metal devils).Though the British established the railway system, the golden era of Sri Lanka Railways was during 1955–1970 under the management of B.D Rampala, the most respected chief mechanical engineer and later General Manager of CGR. Rampala worked to maintain punctuality and improve comfort. He led the upgrading of major railway stations outside Colombo, and the rebuilding of the track in the Eastern Province to facilitate heavier and faster trains. He launched express trains, many of which were given iconic names. In effect, he ensured that Sri Lanka's railway system was up-to-date in technology and offering greater comfort to its passengers. Mr Chander, Station Master at Haputale train station. Haputale, Sri Lanka, 2014