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Train derailments on the increase

20 Sep 2022

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) stated that the number of train derailments has increased at present due to the lack of spare parts required for train repairs, the lack of proper maintenance of the railway tracks, and the use of train compartments and engines that are unsuitable for running on the railway tracks in the country. Speaking to The Morning, SLRSMU General Secretary Kasun Chamara said that over the past few days, several train derailments have been reported, particularly on the Coastal Railway Line. He said that there are many reasons that have led to such incidents, to which the Transport Ministry and the Railways Department are yet to pay attention. “In the recent past, the relevant authorities had imported train compartments and engines that are not suitable for running on the existing railway tracks in Sri Lanka. Some such compartments and engines have now been put into operation, and it is because of them that most of the derailments take place. However, the compartments that were imported in the 1980s are still suitable for running, but most of them have been taken out of service as they have not been maintained properly,” he said.  He also said that there is a shortage of lubricants and spare parts needed for the maintenance of train engines and compartments at present. Due to the lack of such, he claimed that many trains are not being maintained properly, which may also have led to train derailments.  Noting that the department has cancelled the running of 14 trains given the lack of maintenance, Chamara said that there is a problem regarding whether the relevant officials are working towards the resolution of such issues. “Railways General Manager W.A.D. Gunasinghe is trying to solve these issues, but the sub-department heads and officials are not fulfilling their responsibilities. However, if this situation continues, there will be more train derailments in the coming days, and more trains will be cancelled. At a time when the use of trains has become very popular with the rise in bus fares and the fuel shortage, the cancellation of trains in this manner causes a serious injustice to the thousands of passengers,” he added. Speaking further, Chamara said that although there should be 19,382 employees in the department according to the prescribed cadre, there are currently only around 10,500 employees. This short-staffing strongly affects some sub-departments and there is a serious problem as to whether the services to be provided through some sub-departments are provided properly, he further elaborated, adding that while they have continuously informed the relevant authorities that there are vacancies of nearly 3,000 employees in the Sub-Department of Transport, which deals directly with the railway passengers, responsible officials are yet to intervene. Gunasinghe was unavailable for comment on the matter.

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