Heritage

Historic Maradana Railway Station Building (මරදාන දුම්රිය ස්ථාන ගොඩනැගිල්ල)

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Maradana Railway Station Building in 1920—colorized and enhanced from a old picture postcard

The Maradana Railway Station, a grand structure built by the British in 1908, remains one of the finest examples of colonial-era railway architecture in Sri Lanka. The exact date of its opening is uncertain; however, maps from 1889 already indicate the presence of a railway station at Maradana, confirming that an earlier station existed before that year.

The first station was a modest temporary wooden structure, measuring just 20 by 8 feet. This was replaced on 12 June 1893 with a more permanent building (G. F. Perera, 1925, p. 273). Yet, as Maradana became a hub of railway activity and traffic increased, the need for a larger and more sophisticated station grew. The solution came in 1908 with the construction of the elaborate station building that still stands today (Kaluarachchi, 2004).

Architectural Features

The most distinctive feature of the current station is its commanding clock tower, fitted with three clocks, which rises prominently above the central entrance. The facade is richly articulated, with brickwork forming the main body of the structure—in a deep, reddish tone—contrasted by lighter stucco used for cornices, window frames, and pilasters. The lower level is characterized by a series of large arched openings, while the upper floor features rectangular windows with a slight arch, accentuated with balconies and balustrades. Additional decorative flourishes include prominent cornices, balustrades along the roofline, and intricate moldings beneath the windows, all of which lend the station an air of dignity and grandeur.

Preservation and Modernization

In recent years, the historical significance of Maradana Railway Station has been increasingly recognized. Efforts have been made to preserve its heritage character while accommodating the needs of modern rail travel. A major renovation project under the Dream Destination program is scheduled to commence in September 2025, aiming to modernize passenger amenities and upgrade infrastructure without compromising the station’s architectural legacy.

References

Kaluarachchi, S. (2004). කොළඹ පුරාණය (Ancient Colombo). Sooriya Publishers.
Welandawe, H., & Weerasinghe, J. (2016). Urban Heritage in the WRMPP. (unpublished)
Perera, G. F. (1925). The Ceylon Railway: The Story of Its Inception and Progress (1st ed.). The Ceylon Observer.
Hiru News. (2025, September 14). Maradana Railway Station to Be Renovated. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://hirunews.lk/en/420043/maradana-railway-station-to-be-renovated#:~:text=Share%20Post,support%20from%20the%20private%20sector.

Also See

Map of Historic Maradana Railway Station Building

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Travelling to Historic Maradana Railway Station Building

Route from Colombo Fort to Historic Maradana Railway Station Building
Distance: 3 kilometers Travel time: 10 minutes Driving Directions: see on Googl e Map

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