For a man known to many as a bureaucrat, who has led more than half his life in the public service, that too working with the most prominent political personalities in the country, this seemed rather an unusual undertaking, but the past two years he spent completing the book has been one of self-discovery and a way of occupying his time after the death of his wife.

It seems obvious that those who are decision-makers about public transport, do not travel in them, or get advice from those who do. Returning to Sri Lanka after driving in orderly traffic in the first world for about 25 years, I didn't wish to risk driving again, particularly in Colombo. Living very close to the railway station, it is possible for me to get to the heart of Colombo, faster than I could drive, if I can be flexible about the time I reach my destination.