Glennaa11 -- yes, it does look like a car and driver makes sense. My H wants to take one train ride, but after that I think the car and driver for the rest of the trip. Though, Cinnamon Air is looking tempting for us, since we are on such a short trip and of course want to see everything!
I've been thinking something like this:
Day 1: Arrive Colombo airport, afternoon train to Kandy, night in Kandy
Day 2: Kandy, car/driver to Dambulla, night in Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya in the morning, car/driver to Ella, night in Ella
Day 4: Ella, car/driver to Udawalawe National Park, night in Udawalawe
Day 5: Safari, travel back to Colombo, night in Colomobo
Day 6: Explore Colombo and leave in the afternoon
Probably too much and will have to take something out. Lucky you are there for 17 days!