Sri Lanka - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on services at dates noted in entries, but understood to still be current.

Obscure and Sparse services

Peradeniya Junction Station avoiding line: West [Colombo end] - South [Badulla end] LK1

Two through trains each way daily Colombo ⇔ Badulla, not timed to run via Kandy, use the avoiding line and are scheduled to stop at the station. As the operational platforms are at the Kandy (east) apex of the triangle, such trains reverse ⇔ South junction to reach a platform. A platform on the avoiding line itself is not in regular use. Report updated: February 2023

[Anuradhapura - ] Mihintale Junction - Mihintale LK2

This 13 km long branch may be used by specials for the Vesak and Poson Buddhist festivals, of which the dates are linked to full moons in May/June each year. Pre-Covid practice suggests that only the Poson festival attracted trains. Check the online journey planner. Prior booking is required. The railway's website may give advance details - or enquire locally. Report updated: August 2024

Sparse Services LK4

The following lines have few trains (although others may not be much more frequent) - fewer than three trains each way on at least three days a week - or do not run each weekday. The printed timetable did not display any table numbers.

Table	Route	Notes
	Medawachchiya - Talaimannar Pier	One pair daily worked from Talaimannar Pier end
	Galoya Junction - Trincomalee
	[Colombo -] Kosgama - Avissawella	Note this is a "with the flow" commuter service so starting from Colombo it is impossible to complete a day return over the full line.
	[Colombo -] Puttalam - Noor Nagar	[Ex separate entry LK3]

Deletions

Puttalam - Noor Nagar LK3 Entry deleted as has a regular sparse service.