Train Ella to Kandy (March 27th): No tickets available online? Is the line still partially closed after the cyclone?

Hi everyone,

​I’m planning to travel from Ella to Kandy on March 27th, 2026, but I’m struggling to find any available tickets. I’ve checked the official Sri Lanka Railways site (seatreservation.railway.gov.lk) and third-party sites like 12Go, but nothing shows up for that date.

​I read about the damage from Cyclone Ditwah late last year – is a section of the track between Ella and Kandy still closed or under repair? Specifically, I heard there were issues with the Peradeniya bridge and some sections near Hatton.

​A few questions for the locals or fellow travelers:

​Current Status: Is the full line from Ella to Kandy operational for passenger trains again?

​Booking Window: I know the official window is 30 days, and today is exactly Feb 25th (30 days before March 27th). Do tickets usually sell out within minutes, or is the system just not showing them because of the repairs?

​Best Strategy: If I can’t book online, what’s the best way to get to Kandy from Ella? Should I just go to the Ella station in person once I arrive in Sri Lanka, or is it better to look for a driver/bus for certain sections?

​Any insights on the current highland rail situation would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!