Pulathisi Intercity and Ella Odyssey trains to resume; additional services for school students

Colombo, January 6 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Railways has announced the resumption of the Pulathisi Intercity Train and the Ella Odyssey tourist train, along with the introduction of additional train services for school students on selected routes.

Accordingly, the Pulathisi Intercity Train will resume operations from January 9, 2026. The service will operate from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa every Friday and from Batticaloa to Colombo Fort every Sunday. Railway authorities said the frequency of the service will be increased in the future based on passenger demand.

Under the schedule, Train No. 6075 will depart Colombo Fort at 12.45 p.m. and arrive in Batticaloa at 8.07 a.m. the following day. Train No. 6076 will depart Batticaloa at 4.00 a.m. and arrive at Colombo Fort at 11.30 a.m.

Meanwhile, the Ella Odyssey tourist train will resume operations from January 7, 2026. The train will operate every Wednesday between Ambewela and Badulla. Authorities said the number of trips will also be increased in the future depending on demand from passengers.

Train No. 1043 will depart Ambewela at 1.30 p.m. and reach Badulla at 4.15 p.m. The return service, Train No. 1044, will depart Badulla at 7.45 a.m. and arrive in Ambewela at 10.58 a.m.

In addition, special train services have been introduced for school students on school days between Nawalapitiya and Hatton, and between Kandy and Wattegama. These services commenced on January 5 and January 6, 2026, marking the first time trains have operated on these sections since the disaster.

On the Wattegama–Kandy route, a train will depart Wattegama at 5.45 a.m. and arrive in Kandy at 6.30 a.m., while the return service will leave Kandy at 2.00 p.m. and reach Wattegama at 2.39 p.m.

On the Hatton–Nawalapitiya route, a train will depart Hatton at 5.00 a.m. and arrive in Nawalapitiya at 6.29 a.m. The return journey will depart Nawalapitiya at 2.12 p.m. and reach Hatton at 3.11 p.m.

Railway officials said the new and resumed services are aimed at improving connectivity, supporting tourism and easing transportation for schoolchildren.