Discover Kadugannawa: Railways and History

Kadugannawa combines railway history with memorial sites at the pass and the striking road through the rock. The historic Balana Pass area nearby is another point of interest. This makes it possible to distinguish the railway, memorial and historic sites when planning your trip, and to combine them.

Railways and Remembrance at the Pass

Kadugannawa railway station is on the Main Line of Sri Lanka Railways. The distance to Fort station is 105.537 kilometres. For railway enthusiasts, this station-to-station distance provides a specific reference to the route and brings Kadugannawa’s railway connection into focus.

The National Railway Museum opened in Kadugannawa on 27 December 2014 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first train journey in Sri Lanka. Its exhibits include old locomotives and railway carriages, as well as old machinery and equipment. The collection spans everything from large vehicles to other technical railway exhibits. The occasion of its opening also links the collection to an important anniversary in railway history.

The Captain Dawson Tower was erected at Kadugannawa Pass in 1832 in memory of Captain W. F. Dawson. The tower and the road through the rock are considered tourist attractions. The tower commemorates a named individual, while the road stands out for its striking course through the rock. Renovation of Captain Dawson Tower was completed in 2010 with financial support from the Central Provincial Council and in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and the Regional Economic Development Agency (REDA). The tower was subsequently reopened to the public. If you plan to visit the museum or tower, check visiting arrangements before your trip.

The Nearby Balana Pass Area

The historic Balana Pass area is in the vicinity of Kadugannawa. The route there runs for five kilometres from near Kadugannawa railway station along Potthapitiya Road, then branches onto the road to Balana. This provides a specific road name and route distance to help guide you on this excursion.

Balana Fortress is also part of the area’s historic surroundings. It is a historic site where foreign invaders suffered defeats in the kingdom. Access is from the road, followed by a walk of about 500 metres through a tea plantation. If you plan to visit the fortress, allow for this walk when planning your day. The historical associations differ: the tower commemorates Captain W. F. Dawson, while the fortress is associated with the defeats suffered by foreign invaders in the kingdom.

When looking for a holiday rental in Kadugannawa, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like your stay to centre on railway history, with the museum and tower, or would you also like to set aside time for the nearby Balana Pass area and the fortress?

Discover more destinations: Daulagala, Kandy, Gatambe, Peradeniya, Hedeniya, Wattappola, Deltota, Wattegama

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