Demodara Nine Arch Bridge | AmazingLanka.com

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(25 votes, average: 3.60 out of 5)

The Nine Arch Bridge (or Ahas Namaye Palama) in Ella is a masterpiece of colonial-era engineering, completed in 1921. Standing at 3,100 feet above sea level, this viaduct is famous for being constructed entirely of brick, stone, and cement without a single piece of structural steel.

Key Visitor Information and Travel Tips

Ticket Prices / Entrance Fees: No tickets needs to be purchased
Opening Hours: During daylight hours all seven days of the week. However, expect large crowds on Poya days and school holiday weekends.
Best Times to Visit: Morning or evening (when the sun is not the brightest).
Photography: Allowed
Dress Code: No Dress Code. Wear something casual for the hike
Accessibility: no

Map of Demodara Nine Arch Bridge

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Nine Arch Bridge (The Bridge in the Sky)

The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is an iconic colonial-era railway bridge situated in Ella, Sri Lanka. Constructed during the British colonial period, it is celebrated for both its striking architectural form and its scenic surroundings. Completed in 1921, the bridge was built entirely using bricks, stone, and cement—without the use of steel—making it a notable engineering achievement of its time.

This viaduct was constructed at Gotuwala, between the railway stations of Ella and Demodara, during the British colonial era and remains the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka. Positioned at an elevation of approximately 944.9 m (3,100 ft) above sea level, the bridge rises to a height of about 30.4 m (99.6 ft). In Sinhala, it is known as Ahas Namaye Palama (Nine Skies Bridge).

When viewed from beneath, the bridge presents a striking visual effect: looking upward through its nine arches reveals what appears to be “nine skies,” which gives rise to its Sinhala name. Its considerable height has also contributed to the widely used name Bridge in the Sky.

Today, the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge has become a prominent attraction for visitors from around the world. It stands as one of the most photographed structures in the country and continues to be a defining landmark of Sri Lanka’s railway heritage.

Train Schedule from Colombo Fort (2025)

Your Station	Colombo Fort Departure Time	Kandy Departure Time	Ella Arrival Time	Frequency	Name	Type
COLOMBO FORT	05:30:00	08:25:00	14:41:00	THURSDAY & SATURDAY ONLY	ELLA ODYSSEY	Special
Available Classes: 1st Class , 2nd Class			Train No: 1041
COLOMBO FORT	05:55:00	08:55:00	15:41:00	DAILY	Podi Menike –	EXPRESS TRAIN
Available Classes: 1st Class , 2nd Class , 3rd Class			Train No: 1005
COLOMBO FORT	08:30:00	18:25:00	17:36:00	DAILY	Udarata Menike	EXPRESS TRAIN
Available Classes: 1st Class , 2nd Class , 3rd Class			Train No: 1015
COLOMBO FORT	09:45:00		18:51:00	DAILY	1007	EXPRESS TRAIN
Available Classes: 1st Class , 2nd Class , 3rd Class			Train No: 1007
COLOMBO FORT	20:30:00		06:46:00	DAILY	Night Mail	Night Mail Train
Available Classes: 1st Class , 2nd Class , 3rd Class			Train No: 1045

History of Nine Arch Bridge

The builder of Nine Arch Bridge at Demodata

-A widely circulated account relates to the construction of the Nine Arch Bridge. According to this narrative, when work on the bridge commenced, World War I broke out, and the steel consignment allocated for the project was requisitioned for war-related purposes. As a result, construction came to a halt. It is said that local communities then stepped in and completed the bridge using stone bricks and cement, entirely without steel.

A lesser-known account, published in the Maubima newspaper, attributes the construction of the bridge to an individual named P. K. Appuhami, who resided in Kappatipola in Melimada.

According to one of his grandsons, who continues to reside in the family home, P. K. Appuhami was born in 1870 and was well known as both a drummer and a practitioner of thovil (traditional devil dancing). On one occasion, after losing a drumming competition during a thovil ceremony, he is said to have returned home still dressed in his traditional devil costume.

During this period, railway construction was underway. A British official who encountered him near Ohiya Railway Station was reportedly startled by his appearance. However, this initial encounter eventually led to a working relationship, with Appuhami assisting the British by supplying labor for railway construction.

As construction progressed, engineers encountered a significant challenge at a gap between two hills, where the ground below consisted of unstable, marshy terrain. Establishing secure foundations for the bridge columns proved difficult. By this time, Appuhami had earned the trust of the engineers and proposed that he be entrusted with the construction of the bridge. Although initially declined, his request was eventually accepted.

Work is said to have begun around 1913. Appuhami directed his workforce to fill the gap by toppling large rocks into it, thereby creating a stable base. Once the foundation was secured, brick columns were constructed atop this rock bed. The bridge was reportedly completed within approximately one year. Due to the unusually low construction cost, British authorities are said to have harboured doubts about the bridge’s structural integrity.

In response to these concerns, Appuhami is believed to have assured the engineers of the bridge’s safety by pledging to lie beneath it during the first train crossing. According to local tradition, he fulfilled this promise when the railway line was formally opened.

Local folklore further recounts that the British later offered the remaining balance of payment, which Appuhami transported from Colombo in four cartloads of silver coins. It is also said that he hosted meals for the villagers of Parabedda and Puranwela for two days and distributed one silver coin to each individual.

First day Cover of 2014 stamp celebrating the engineering marvel of Demodara Bridge and Nine Arch Bridge at Demodata

Also See

Traveling Directions to Demodara Nine Arch Bridge

Route from Bandarawela to Demodara Nine Arch Bridge

Distance :15 km
Travel time : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on Google Maps.