Rare Pictures of Colonial Ceylon. Various Modes of Transport.
River Transport, Ceylon, Early 1900's
This photo of old Sri Lanka demonstrates the Ceylonese use of coconut palms on the roofs of their water vessels.Boats were often constructed out of large trees.
These would be hollowed out in the center.
The vessel would be kept from capsizing thanks to bent pieces of wood at each end and a long spare extending into the water.
Rickshaw Operators at Victoria Park, Colombo.
Victoria Park in the middle of Colombo and was named in honour of Queen Victoria.
The fares for a rickshaw operators were calculated by time instead of distance.In 1907, to hire first class rickshaw in Colombo would cost roughly 1 cent a minute,
with a discount to 50 cents for 60 minutes.
Rickshaws drawn by 2 operators were more expensive, as was hiring a rickshaw in the evenings.
Tea in Transit to Wharf.
Race Bull and Cart, Early 1900′s
Catamaran, Native Fishing Boat. displayed in this popular image was planted by the British in 1905.
A Double Bullock Cart. Bullock carts in Ceylon are known as bandies or Tamul wandi.Bullock carts like the one shown here were normally used for carting coffee or rice.
These two-wheeled wagons were covered with plaited coconut leaves.
The bullocks would on average haul a fully laden cart 20 miles per day.
Hamilton Canal in Negombo and Padda Boats, Early 1900's
Boat Bridge over Kalani River at Grand Pass 1880's
Bullock Hackery.
Elephants Transporting a Boiler to Tea Factory.
Colombo - Kandy Mail Coach, c.1860
Steam Engine at Matara Railway Station – 1895
Colombo Kandy Train - Crossing Bridge.
Ballast Train, Colombo - Badulla Railway.
Tunnels on the Railway near Ohiya, Ceylon
Colombo to Kandy Railway Line
Typical Road Scene on Galle Road, Ceylon 1880
A Mountain Road to Haputale, Ceylon in 1894
Elephant at Work One of many duties by elephant. Here the elephant is pulling a plane.
