Rambukkana to Kadugannawa stretch is the most beautiful section of Colombo-Kandy railway line. There is a valuable history goes back to Colonial era with this railway line.

Sun was opening his doors to the world sending the early rays across the world when the whistle blew, green LED torches flashed from the back and front and the train left for her long arduous journey. The things got nastier at Ragama, Gampaha, Veyangoda and Polgahawela as many people tried to get in pushing and squeezing. Those who chewing beetle leaves and aricanut were forced to go deeper into the carriages making it impossible to spit out of the train, and Tony joked they must’ve had to swallow the lot as a result.

Eventually after it felt like being in a sea of people, we reached Kadugannawa and got off with a sigh of relief and went in search of a place to have a hearty breakfast before starting. This is when we met two of Lakdasun Members, Amran and Parsi who were leading a bunch of their office colleagues on a hike to Bathalegala. It brought back the happy memories of Our Bathalegala Journey. After a bellyful meal, we started our journey from Kadugannawa towards Rambukkana and you’re gonna read that here on.

After a tiring hike to Hunnasgiriya peak with my friend Niroshan, we reached Kandy where I decided to stay the night at and complete a long awaited rail hike from Kadugannawa to Rambukkana. So next day early morning I took a bus and proceeded towards Kadugannawa where I had some breakfast before stepping on to the railway track. After snapping a Udarata menike train which was halted at Kadugannawa I started marching downwards towards Balana. The first landmark I came across was 64 ¾ mile post which is the highest point of Kandy – Colombo railway line which most of the people are not aware about. From here onwards the rail line deviates away from the main road. Tunnel 11 is the first tunnel one would come across after Galboda station where tunnel 12 could be found (when coming from Badulla side).

I had read about it, heard about it but never seen it, could not find a single picture of it but I knew it existed, an archaeological site that is less known but of high importance in the fight for survival of our country; this is non other than the Key to the Kandyan Kingdom; the Balane Fort