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7 Feb 2026
Why Sri Lankan Trains Have Women's Names
A historical note: Sri Lankan trains received women's names (Menike, Kumari, Devi, Rajini) in the 1950s for regional route identification and to compete with bus transport.
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A timeline of the key events in Sri Lanka's history.
A historical note: Sri Lankan trains received women's names (Menike, Kumari, Devi, Rajini) in the 1950s for regional route identification and to compete with bus transport.
Open source115 years ago, Colombo witnessed the island's first recorded traffic accident — a collision between car K-507 and bus A-889.
Open sourceIn 1994, national carrier AirLanka put four Airbus A340s on routes connecting Colombo to London and Tokyo non-stop.
Open sourceThe 1950s are considered Sri Lanka's golden age: Colombo had trams and more cars than tuk-tuks; a video shows Galle Fort from that era.
Open sourceIn December 1961, eight months after his historic spaceflight, Yuri Gagarin visited Ceylon at the government's invitation — an event warmly celebrated by local newspapers.
Open sourceThe editorial team mentions the historical fact that Yuri Gagarin planted a tree at the Kandy botanical garden and jokingly asks for any other traces of his visit on the island.
Open sourceOn 4 February, Sri Lanka celebrates Independence Day: the country gained dominion status in 1948 and full independence with its current name in 1972.
Open sourceExcerpt from Ceylon letters about Mihintale — a village with Buddhist caves, inscriptions, and a stupa on the mountain summit.
Open sourceExcerpt from Ceylon letters about Anuradhapura — its mixed Sinhalese-Malabar population and ancient caves dating back to the 3rd century BC.
Open sourceExcerpt from pre-revolutionary letters from Ceylon: a description of royal palace ruins near Kurunegala with fine granite carvings.
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