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Polgahawela
Polgahawela is a town located in north western Sri Lanka. It is most notable for being a major railway junction. Polgahawela is situated in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, and is located approximately north-east from the capital city of Colombo; from Kandy; from Kurunegala; and from Bandaranayake International Airport. It is the location of an important railway junction in Sri Lanka Railways' network, connecting the Main Line, which runs from Colombo to Badulla and the Northern Line, which runs through to the northern port of Kankesanthurai. Railway station Polgahawela's railway station is at the centre of the town and lies at the main junction of the Main Line and the Northern Line. The town is notable for a major railway accident that occurred in 2005. Neighbouring stations Pothuhera Allawwa Polgahawela Panaliiya Thismalpola Rambukkana Notable people * Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and a cardinal, was born here. * Gregory Shantha Kum ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lanka Railways
The Sri Lanka Railway Department (more commonly known as Sri Lanka Railways (SLR)) ( Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා දුම්රිය සේවය ''Śrī Laṃkā Dumriya Sēvaya''; Tamil: இலங்கை புகையிரத சேவை ''Ilankai Pugaiyiradha Sēvai'') is Sri Lanka's railway owner and primary operator. As part of the Sri Lankan government, it is overseen by the Ministry of Transport. Founded in 1858 as the Ceylon Government Railway, it operates the nation's railways and links Colombo (the capital) with other population centres and tourist destinations. The Sri Lankan rail network is of broad gauge. Some of its routes are scenic, with the main line passing (or crossing) waterfalls, mountains, tea estates, pine forests, bridges and peak stations. History Beginnings The construction of a railway in Ceylon was first raised in 1842 by European coffee planters seeking a line be constructed between Kandy and Colombo as a quicker more effi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is an organization of Buddhist monasteries of Sri Lankan origin established to benefit the spiritual development of human beings using the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Its main monastery is in Polgahawela, Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka is home to 40 branches of the organization. Overseas branches are in Canada, USA, Australia, UK, Dubai, South Korea, India, Italy, and Germany. And Mahamevnawa is home to more than 700 Buddhist monks. The founder and the chief Buddhist monk in charge of these monasteries is Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero, who is engaged in spreading Buddhism to both local and international communities, and in highlighting the aim of Buddhism: putting an end to Dukkha (suffering) or attaining Nibbana. Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery Mahamevnawa monastery for Buddhist Nuns is called Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery. Currently, there are 6 Anagarika Monasteries of Mahamevnawa. About 100 Buddhists Nuns reside and practice Dhamma there. P ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Railway Stations In Sri Lanka
List of railway stations in Sri Lanka, in alphabetical order, are as follows: A * Abanpola railway station, Abanpola, North Western Province * Agbopura railway station, Agbopura, Eastern Province * Ahangama railway station, Ahangama, Southern Province * Ahungalle railway station, Ahungalle, Southern Province * Akuragawa Station, Akurala, Southern Province * Alawwa railway station, Alawwa, North Western Province * Alawathupitiya railway station, Alawathupitiya, * Aluthgama railway station, Aluthgama, Western Province * Ambalangoda railway station, Ambalangoda, Southern Province * Ambepussa railway station, Ambepussa, Western Province * Ambewela railway station, Ambewela, Central Province * Angulana railway station, Angulana, Western Province * Anuradhapura railway station, Anuradhapura, New Town * Anuradhapura railway station, Anuradhapura, North Central Province * Arachchikattuwa railway station, Arachchikattuwa * Avissawella railway station, Avissawella File:Hitachi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, from the end of the 13th century to the start of the 14th century. It is at the junction of several main roads linking to other important parts of the country. It is about from Colombo, from Kandy and from Matale. Located at an altitude of above sea level, Kurunegala is surrounded by coconut plantations and rubber estates. There are eight very noticeable large rocks that encircle and dominate the city. Kurunegala's rocks rise from the plain below and have characteristic names, six of which come from the animals that they are imagined to represent. The largest among them is Ethagala or the "Elephant Rock" (though the translation is actually tusker), reaches . The shape of Ethagala resembles an elephant. Etymology Kurunegala has bee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
North Western Province, Sri Lanka
North Western Province ( si, වයඹ පළාත ''Wayamba Paḷāta'', ta, வட மேல் மாகாணம் ''Vada Mael Mākāṇam'') is a province of Sri Lanka. The province consists of the districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam. Its capital is Kurunegala, which has a population of 28,571. The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations. Other main towns in this province are Chilaw (24,712) and Puttalam (45,661), which are both small fishing towns. The majority of the population of Wayamba province is of Sinhalese ethnicity. There is also a substantial Sri Lankan Moor minority around Puttalam and Sri Lankan Tamils in Udappu and Munneswaram. Fishing, prawn farming and rubber tree plantations are other prominent industries of the region. The province has an area of 7,888 km2, and a population of 2,370,075 (2011 census). Geography Climate The climate of Wayamba is tropical, with a marked dry season, and temperatures averaging between 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gregory Shantha Kumara Francis
Gregory Shantha Kumar Francis ( B.Th., PGDip.P&CC), was an Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Gregory Shantha Kumar Francis was born in 1955 in the village of Polgahawela, Sri Lanka. He is an upcountry Tamil, and fluent in Sinhala, English and Tamil. Francis was appointed as deacon in 1978, receiving his Bachelor of Theology from the University of Serampore the same year. In 1980 he obtained a postgraduate diploma in pastoral and clinical counselling from Nawa Jeewana Institute of Psychology, Colombo and was ordained as a priest in the Church of Ceylon. He was the chaplain at Hillwood College, Kandy (1993–2000), Trinity College, Kandy (2001–2004). Francis also obtained a higher diploma in comprehensive drug abuse prevention and counselling from the Anti Narcotic Association of Sri Lanka. On 7 November 2010 Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, appointed Francis as the fifth Bishop of Kurunegala in the Church of Ceylon, succeeding retired Bishop Kumara Illang ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Malcolm Ranjith
Patabendige Don Albert Malcolm Ranjith ( Sinhala: පටබැඳිගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් මැල්කම් රංජිත්) (born 15 November 1947), often known simply as Malcolm Ranjith or Albert Malcolm Ranjith is a Sri Lankan prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, since 2009. He was made a cardinal in 2010. Ranjith previously served as auxiliary bishop of Colombo (1991–1995), Bishop of Ratnapura (1995–2001), Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2001–2004), Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor (2004–2005), and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2005–2009). Early life and education The eldest of four children, Malcolm Ranjith was born in Polgahawela to Don William and Mary Winifreeda. He studied at De La Salle College in Mutwal before entering St. Aloysius Seminary in Borella in 1965. From 1966 t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polgahawela Level Crossing Accident
Polgahawela level crossing accident was a collision between a bus travelling from Galkiriyagama to Colombo and a train at a level crossing in Yangalmodara, near Polgahawela in Kurunegala district on 27 April 2005 at 8.30 local time, which resulted in the death of 37 people. The bus was struck by an intercity express train from Colombo to Kandy. "The signal was green and the level-crossing gates were closed, then I saw the bus trying to cross and the next thing I know, the engine was hitting the rear of the bus.", the train's driver, H. A. Sirisena, was quoted as saying "After the first impact, the bus spun around and hit the train again. I have been in this job for 41 years, and this is the first time something like this has happened". It was thought that the bus was participating in a race with another local privately owned and operated bus, with the intention of gathering more and more passengers from the next main town. The bus driver, A. W. Haprool Azad, did not see the train ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Main Line (Sri Lanka)
The Main Line is a major railway line in the rail network of Sri Lanka and considered by many to be one of the most scenic train journeys in all of Asia. The line begins at Colombo Fort and winds through the Sri Lankan hill country to reach Badulla. Route definition The Main Line starts from Colombo and runs east and north past the rapidly developing centres of Ragama, Gampaha, Veyangoda, and Polgahawela. At Rambukkana, the Main Line begins its steep climb into the hills of the upcountry. Between Balana and Kadugannawa, the track clings to the side of sheer cliffs, offering passengers views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock). From Peradeniya Junction, a branch line reaches Kandy and Matale. The Main Line then continues its climb through tea country, connecting local market centres at Gampola, Nawalapitiya, and Hatton before reaching Nanu Oya. This is the connection to the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya, known for its temperate climate, classic hotels, and Briti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Udarata Menike
''Udarata Menike'' ( si, උඩරට මැණිකේ, Hill Country Maiden) is a daytime passenger train that runs between Colombo and Badulla in Sri Lanka. The ''Udarata Menike'' made its maiden journey on 23 April 1956. The Badulla-bound train departs from Colombo at 8.30 a.m., while the Colombo-bound train leaves Badulla at 5.45 a.m. The trip takes about 10 hours. Services The train offers three classes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd, The latter sometimes gets very crowded and carries only basic facilities. The train also includes a buffet car. The observation saloon has been removed since the introduction of Class S12 DMUs. Route The Udarata Menike travels the length of Sri Lanka Railways' Main Line through the hill country. The Udarata Menike begins its eastbound service at Colombo Fort Station and runs east and north past the centers of Ragama, Gampaha, Veyangoda, and Polgahawela. At Rambukkana, the Main Line begins its steep climb into the hills of the upcountry. Between ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Podi Menike
"Podi Manike" ( Sinhala:පොඩි මැණිකේ, meaning "Little Maiden") is a Sri Lankan passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla. This journey covers about 300 km and is renowned for being the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, especially the stretch from Nanuoya to Ella . It takes about 10 hours to complete the journey. The train follows the hill-country line, a route developed by the British in the 19th century through scenic mountains. The route features bridges, long tunnels, high slopes and gradients. Services The train offers three classes. The first class ac coaches are very luxury and popular among tourists The train also includes a buffet car. *''1st class air conditioned reserved seats'' *''2nd class'' *''3rd class'' typically gets very crowded and carries only basic facilities. Route The Podi Menike travels the length of Sri Lanka Railways' Main Line through the hill country. The Podi Menike begins its eastbound service ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Badulla
Badulla ( si, බදුල්ල, ta, பதுளை) is the capital and the largest city of Uva Province situated in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of Uva Province and the Badulla District. Geography Badulla is located in the southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River, about above sea level and is surrounded by tea plantations. The city is overshadowed by the Namunukula range of mountains (highest peak above sea level). It was a base of a pre-colonial Sinhalese local prince (regional king) who ruled the area under the main King in Kandy before it became part of the British Empire. Later, it became one of the provincial administrative hubs of the British rulers. The city was the terminus of upcountry railway line built by the British in order to take mainly tea plantation products to Colombo. History and present day Badulla was an isolated village until the British built roads from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the mid 19th cen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
