Fort Railway Station, Colombo

Fort Railway Station is the main railway hub of the country and the busiest station in the network. The current station building opened in 1917 during the British colonial period. It replaced the earlier Colombo Terminus Station and a smaller Fort station built in 1877. Today, it handles about 200,000 to 250,000 passengers each day. Trains from here run to the coast, the hill country, the south, and the north, serving both long-distance travel and daily commuters.

The station follows a Victorian-style design, often compared to Manchester Victoria Station in the United Kingdom. It has a long front and a wide main hall. High ceilings, large clocks, and old ironwork remain visible, while electronic boards and updated ticket systems sit alongside manual counters and wooden booths, showing a mix of old and new.

The station is active throughout the day, with the busiest times in the early morning and late afternoon. Most platforms are linked by footbridges or overpasses, which is the safer way to move around, though visitors should still follow announcements and staff instructions. Small tea stalls, snack vendors, and newspaper stands add to the constant flow of passengers and railway workers.