A key community development initiative in our immediate neighbourhood is the Slave Island Railway Station in Colombo 2 which has been refurbished and maintained under the patronage of John Keells in collaboration with Sri Lanka Railways since 2002.

The station, built in the 1870’s, was modelled typically on the Victorian style British Railway Stations and boasted a magnificent structure which was larger, more spacious and architecturally superior to any other station in the country. It is in this light that John Keells stepped into refurbish and maintain this social, economic and commercial treasure, while preserving its colonial architectural value. Commencing in 2002, the project aimed at restoring the station to its original splendour and enabling modern facilities to compliment the age-old architecture by refurbishing and modernizing the level crossing, overhead bridge and other amenities within the station. On the basis that the station should not be just another amenity, but clean and user friendly for the thousands of commuters who use the station on a daily basis, JKH ensures daily maintenance of the station.

John Keells hopes to continue maintaining the station at a high standard on a long-term basis. Project work (including all repairs and routine maintenance of the building and service areas) is sponsored and implemented by John Keells PLC under the guidance of John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation.