Evolution of Passenger Transport
in Sri Lanka
Why people travel?
People are having different types of purposes in
travelling such as,
-Work (home ßà work)
-Educational (home ßà school, university, classes)
-Personal (home, work ßà clinic, govt. office, post office)
-Business (home, work ßà other work)
-Social (home ßà home, hospital)
-Recreational (work, home ßà cinema, park, pilgrimage)
—
Mediums & Modes of Transport
Medium | Modes (Eg.) |
Land | Buses, Trains, Cars etc |
Water | Ferry and Boat services etc |
Air | Helicopters, Air Crafts etc(Not using frequently for domestic passenger transport purposes) |
History of Inland Passenger Transport can be studied
in 3 different eras.
1.Pre-Arrival of European (Upto 16th Century)
Travel needs were limited to shorter Distance-
Modes used: Elephants, Horses, Bullock Carts, sedan
2 Post-Arrival of European(1505-1948)
Travel needs were expanding for longer distances
Modes used: Horse carts, Bullock Carts, Rickshaws, Cars,
Trains, Canal Boats
3 Close years of independence (1940s to 70s)
Travel needs were expanding continuously
Modes used: Cars, Tram cars, Passenger Buses & Trains, Trolley buses
4. Recent Past Years
(From 1978, introduction of Open Economy, to date)
Travel needs were rapidly increased for shorter as well as longer distances
Modes Used: New version of Bus, Rail and Cars were introduced)
Pre-Arrival of European
Land Transport
Land Transport
- for Royals and High-Class people;
Modes used: Sedans, Horses & Elephants etc
- For General Public;
Modes used: Bullock Carts for Longer distances otherwise
by foot
Water Transport
People used different types of boats for traveling across rivers & reservoirs
Air Transport
“Dandumonaraya” of King Rawana is reported as the one and only air based transport made in Sri Lanka’s History before 16th Century
