Rasika Wickramanayaka, an architect and dedicated railway enthusiast from Sri Lanka, has devoted much of his research and writing career to documenting the history of the country’s now-defunct narrow-gauge railways. During a recent National Trust lecture in August titled “The Story of Narrow-Gauge Railways in Ceylon: The Rise and Closure,” Wickramanayaka shared insights from his extensive study of these colonial-era rail lines, which once connected Sri Lanka’s hill country and played a significant role in its early economic development.

Wickramanayaka’s interest in narrow-gauge railways stems from his upbringing in the Godakawela and Eheliyagoda areas, where remnants of the former Kelani Valley and Sabaragamuwa railway lines still lingered. “I used to ask my father why there are stations without trains,” he recalled, reflecting on his childhood curiosity. Over time, his passion for railways grew alongside his professional career in architecture, a discipline he chose for its emphasis on three-dimensional visualization. His early involvement with archaeology during work on the Jetavanaramaya project in Anuradhapura further fueled his fascination with historical research.

Despite narrow-gauge railways being largely overlooked by previous scholars, Wickramanayaka identified this as an opportunity to preserve a forgotten chapter of Sri Lanka’s transportation history. His research culminated in several well-illustrated volumes, including *Narrow Gauge Railways of Ceylon*, *Railcars of Ceylon* (2026), and a Sinhala-language book titled *Sabaragamuwa Dumriya* (2024). He is currently working on studies related to tramcars and trolleybuses, as well as a future book on the Uda Pussellawa railway.

Among his findings, Wickramanayaka clarified misconceptions surrounding the Kelani Valley line. Contrary to popular belief, only seven locomotives were transferred from South Africa; the railway itself was not entirely designed for that country before being repurposed in Sri Lanka. Additionally, he disputed the claim that the closure of the Kelani Valley line was driven by business interests favoring road transport. Instead, he explained, financial losses were the main factor in its discontinuation.

Wickramanayaka also uncovered that the segment running between Avissawella and Opanayake was originally known as the Sabaragamuwa railway, rather than being uniformly called the Kelani Valley line as previously assumed. He introduced terms such as *singthi dumriya* and *pattuwaamaana* to describe narrow-gauge railways and re-evaluated the advanced state of railcar technology during that era.

Locomotives like the Kelani Valley line were embedded in local livelihoods, particularly in Ratnapura, where trains transported gem mining equipment, rubber, cinnamon, and bananas. Stories and poetry from the region reflect the cultural significance of these slow-moving trains in the daily lives of the people.

Wickramanayaka’s dedication to preserving this history intensified after a kidney failure in 2019 compelled him to return to Sri Lanka from a UNICEF assignment in Kabul. This period enabled him to focus on his writing projects, including two collections of short stories inspired by his youth in rural Sri Lanka and experiences abroad. His parents, both educators, exposed him to a diverse range of social backgrounds during his formative years, enriching his narrative work.

Emphasizing that his efforts are motivated by a desire to share knowledge rather than financial gain, Wickramanayaka acknowledged the challenges of assembling archival photographs and firsthand accounts, which were eventually provided by railway enthusiasts convinced of his scholarly intent. “I am living on borrowed time,” he said, referring to his transplant, “so I think it’s my duty to propagate this knowledge.”

Through his meticulous study and storytelling, Rasika Wickramanayaka continues to revive the legacy of Sri Lanka’s narrow-gauge railways, ensuring that this important aspect of the nation’s colonial history is not lost to time.