The station is owned by Sri Lanka Railways, the state-owned railway operator, the station is part of the Main line which links Badulla with the country's capital Colombo.

The station is the 32nd station and is 66.48 km (41.31 mi) from Colombo Fort, 8.9 km (5.5 mi) from Polgahawela and situated 63 m (207 ft) above sea level.

The station opened in 1866 when the Main line was extended from Ambepussa to Polgahawela.

[1][2] The Alawwa rail bridge, which crosses the Maha Oya, consists of three 30.5 m (100 ft) spans on masonry abutments and piers anchored into the bedrock.

[3] In August 2001 thirteen people died in a train derailment near Alawwa.