News
The neglected Ella station
View(s):Ella, is one Sri Lanka’s most frequented tourist destinations in the country. As such the Ella Railway station is equally popular among both foreign and local visitors who opt to take a train ride to the area through the picturesque upcountry.
Story and pix by Palitha Ariyawansa
Sadly the Railway Department has failed to support efforts to attract more tourists to the area.
Work to upgrade facilities at the train station used by thousands of tourists annually, has come to an abrupt halt.
A newly built rest room,with toilet facilities and lockers with baggage space for tourists to store luggage has not been completed. Even those facilities which are in place have not been opened to visitors.
Not unexpectedly both foreign and local tourists, have expressed disappointment, as after the long journey to Ella, they are not provided basic facilities such as a comfortable rest room to freshen up.
Commuters also complain, one of the platforms has not been constructed to proper standards. they point out the retaining walls constructed around the station have not been completed.
To make matters worse instead of lampshades, electric bulbs lights are covered with plastic bottles.
The Traders Association claims railway officials have told them, that one of the issues was that though the Tourism Ministry of the previous regime allocated Rs. 30 million to upgrade the station (as it is a major tourist destination), the Railway Department had returned Rs 15 million to the Ministry, without completing the work. Residents are hopeful that since the new Railway Services Minister C.B. Ratnayake, is from the Nuwara Eliaya District, the short comings at the Ella railway station which has fallen into neglect, will catch his attention, and measures to upgrade the station undertaken ASAP.
Ella is one of the most frequented tourist destinations
Work on one of the platforms and retaining walls have not been completed
New restrooms have been constructed, but not open to the public
A cut plastic bottle serves as a lampshade