The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), chaired by MP Aravinda Senarath, has recommended that an audit be conducted into the daily financial losses resulting from train cancellations by the Sri Lanka Railways Department.

The recommendation followed a meeting to review the 2023 Auditor General’s Report and the department's performance. Former General Managers of Railways and former Secretaries to the Ministry were summoned for further clarification on past inefficiencies.

The Committee expressed concern over the infrequent audit and management committee meetings between 2021 and 2024, attributing delays in operations and a decline in service efficiency to poor oversight. Officials blamed the pandemic and staff transfers for the disruptions.

COPA noted 64 train delays in 2022, 61 in 2023, and 46 in 2024. The Committee also requested a report on the delays and preventive measures taken, alongside the financial audit.