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Trains ready to safely operate after lockdown: Railways Department

12 Sep 2021

  • All steps taken at departmental level to meet guidelines, assures GM
By Buddhika Samaraweera While the final decision on the operation of trains after lifting the ongoing lockdown is up to the Government, all possible steps have been taken at the departmental level to operate train services in line with Covid-19-related health guidelines, said Railways Department General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara. “There are discussions going on about the formulation of a programme to operate train services. However, the Government has not yet given specific instructions on how to operate train services. Once such instructions are received, we can act on them; we have already taken the necessary steps that could be taken at the departmental level,” he told The Morning. He added that necessary steps have been taken to expedite the supply of hand sanitising liquids and other equipment needed in main railway stations. However, Jayasundara added that what is most important is that the people travelling by train follow the instructions given by health authorities in the current situation. The Sri Lanka Station Masters' Union (SLSMU) recently requested that a systematic programme be prepared and necessary facilities be provided to railway stations as soon as possible to ensure the operation of train services after the reopening of the country. SLSMU General Secretary Kasun Chamara, who spoke to The Morning recently, said that written requests were made in this regard during the second wave of the pandemic, and added that it is important in the current situation that the relevant authorities, including the Railways Department, work out a plan on how to reactivate train services in accordance with Covid-19 related health guidelines in each case of travel restrictions and removals. “After the reopening of the country in the recent past, a large number of passengers travelled by train, and proper health guidelines were not followed. Therefore, the authorities should take steps to formulate a formal plan from now on as they are well aware of the situation that will arise after the reopening of the country,” he said. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry recently accused the transport authorities of not having formulated a plan to operate public transport services in accordance with the Covid-19-related health guidelines after the reopening of the country, even though it is essential to do so to prevent further spread of the Covid-19 virus. Deputy Director General of Public Health Services and Health Ministry Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head/Communication Director Dr. Hemantha Herath recently told The Morning that if the country is to be reopened, a formal plan should be formulated to operate public transport services in line with health guidelines, such as maintaining social distance. Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Transport Ministry Secretary Monti Ranatunga, and Railways Department General Manager Dammika Jayasundara were not available for comment on the matter. Taking into account the rapid spread of Covid-19 and increase in the number of Covid-19 deaths in the country, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 20 August declared a lockdown until 30 August, which was then extended till 6 September. At a meeting attended by high-level Government officials on 10 September, the lockdown status was again extended until 21 September.

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