Sulan Kapolla, listed by Sri Lanka Railways in English as the Windbreak, is a view point on the Main Line between Idalgashinna and Haputale. Here the railway runs along the top of a narrow ridge and the land drops steeply away on both sides of the track. The Dunhinda Odyssey and Ella Odyssey tourist trains pause for about three minutes so passengers can take in the view.
Why This Stretch Is Special
Idalgashinna station, at 1,615 metres, sits on the hilltop that separates the southern and eastern parts of the island. Rain falling on one side of its roof drains to the Mahaweli valley, rain on the other side to the Walawe. For the 8 km from Idalgashinna to Haputale the railway follows this divide, and on a clear day the views open in both directions at once:
- North, over the Uva basin towards Boralanda, Welimada, Uda Pussellawa and Hakgala.
- South, down the escarpment towards Beragala, the Udawalawe reservoir and, on the clearest days, the coast at Hambantota.
The ridge is exposed to the wind, and the weather changes fast: it can be thick with fog one minute and completely clear the next.
Seeing It from the Train
- Odyssey trains stop on open track for about three minutes. Stay on board.
- Regular trains do not stop, but this is one of the finest stretches of the whole line from any seat. Both sides of the train have a view.
- Best light is in the morning, before cloud builds up over the hills in the afternoon.
The previous photo stop is Tunnel No. 18 near the summit; next comes the Kithal Ella waterfall on the descent to Ella.