Sri Lanka Railways Forum

Station masters launch lightning TU action

SLRFOLD — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:13:43 +0000

Station Masters (SM) launched a lightning trade union action at Maradana and Fort railway stations last afternoon and the passengers travelled without tickets as counters had been closed as a result of the strike.

Railway General Manager Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said the cause for the strike was the transfer of two SMs for misappropriation of department funds.

“The two SMs were transferred after a preliminary inquiry found that they were guilty for the misappropriation of the department funds. The transfers were given according to the Establishment Code and Departmental Regulations.

A state institution cannot maintain discipline if trade unionists compel to launch TU actions on behalf of errant employees,” Dr. Gunaruwan said.

However, he said that a few ticketing counters had been opened at the two stations.

Station Masters’ Trade Unions were not available for comment.

By Sandun A Jayasekera
Source: Dailymirror

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Work on four new railway lines to commence

SLRFOLD — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:55:27 +0000

The Government will commence construction work on four new railway lines including the Sapugaskanda-Avissawella, Mannar, Kurunegala-Dambulla and Padukka-Ratnapura-Hambantota lines this year.

A Spokesman for the Transport Ministry told the Daily News that construction work of the dual track from Ja-Ela to Seeduwa, dual track from Peradeniya to Kandy, fourth line from Maradana to Fort and third and fourth lines on the new Kelani bridge and Matara-Kataragama line will be expedited this year.

“Several steps have already been taken to remove operational barriers on the main line at Peradeniya,” he pointed out. “Work on the dual track of the Kandy-Peradeniya (6km) line and the installation of an electric signal network by removing the old signalling system is already in process,” he said.

Although the main objective of the Polgahawela-Anuradhapura line is to convert it into a dual track, the project is being carried out to increase the speed to 100 km per hour by removing speed restrictions.

The Colombo-Matara coastal line development project will be carried out in two phases.

“After upgrading the line, we will be able to increase the speed of trains on this line to 100 kmph,” he said.

by Irangika Range
Source: DailyNews

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Facilities in railway transport for disabled people

SLRFOLD — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:55:18 +0000

To provide facilities in transport for the disabled at railway stations was the brain child of the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare together with the Sri Lanka Railway Department.

N.G. Kamalawathi, a representative of the National Council of Disabled People in Sri Lanka who was present at the occasion expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare saying that the disabled were entitled to equal rights and dignity.

She also said very soon they hope to provide similar facilities for the disabled who travel by bus.

This project is not only for those who are confined to their wheelchairs. It extends to even those who have hearing disabilities. Both parties are hampered by the barriers that exist for the disabled.

This ambitious project aims at enlightening officials at Railway Stations throughout the country making them sensitive to the special needs of the disabled and providing facilities that would be geared for their special needs.

Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Lionel Premasiri who graced the occasion appealed to the general public not to sympathise saying that the disabled did not want pity.

The Minister said it was a very important day for the transport sector in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Passenger Transport Lasantha Alagiyawanna represented Minster Dullas Alahapperuma who was unable to attend the occasion. However, he was able to convey Minister Alahapperuma’s message.

By Ishara Jayawardane

Source: Daily Mirror

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Intercity Train Service between Colombo Fort and Anuradhapura

Thurya — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:22:00 +0000

The Government is to commence an intercity train service between Colombo Fort and Anuradhapura with a maximum travel time of three hours.

Sri Lanka Railways Department said a rehearsal run will be held tonight to ensure the shortened travel time.If successful the Railway Department hopes to commence this special train service from next month.

Currently the time duration for train travel between Colombo Fort and Anuradhapura is five hours.

Source : Department of Information

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Driver on mobile phone, ignored SLAF officer’s warning - Railways Spokesman

SLRF Team — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:51:06 +0000

Dec 27 car-train collision at Kurana, Katunayake

The Sri Lanka Railways said that one of the worst train-car collisions at a rail crossing could have been easily averted had the driver of the ill-fated vehicle heeded an SLAF officer’s warning. The tragedy at a Kurana-Katunayake rail crossing on December 27 claimed the lives of five persons, including two children.

The driver of the ill-fated car Anil S. Fernando (52), a director of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) had crossed the rail track despite the red light and the alarm bell indicating the oncoming train, Vijaya Samarasinghe, a senior spokesperson for Sri Lanka Railways told The Island yesterday. Quoting the SLAF sentry stationed near the crossing, Samarasinge said that Fernando had stopped the car, rolled down the shutter and responded to the airman while engaged on his mobile phone. The official said that Fernando had overtaken several vehicles halted along the road before attempting to cross the track. According to him, Fernando had told the SLAF sentry that he was in a hurry and therefore couldn’t wait.

Although a section of the press blamed the railways for the unprotected railway crossing and the tragedy, Samarasinghe pointed out that both the red light and the alarm had been in operation. “Don’t forget this happened at 11 a.m.” he said, emphasising that nothing could have been as irresponsible as ignoring the advice given by the security forces. He could have been shot for refusing to stop as directed by security forces or police, the official said.

The victims included Fernando’s wife Nirmalie Perera, their two children, Amila Sujani and Anupa Nirupana and the children’s grandmother M. D. Susan.

Fernando who sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Chilaw bound train No. 3412 had ploughed into the car at the No. WB GK 3619 and dragged it for some distance, the official said.

Responding to our queries, he emphasised the importance of taking deterrent action to discourage irresponsible drivers.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Source: The Island

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New facilities for disabled railway passengers from tomorrow

SLRF Team — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:46:55 +0000

A host of newly constructed facilities for differently abled railway passengers will be declared open tomorrow at the Maradana Railway Station tomorrow, Operating Superintendant of Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) Vijaya Samarasinghe said.

This project is a joint venture by SLR and the National Secretariat for Disabled People run by the Ministry of Social Services.

An elevator, five electronic timetables for people with hearig disabilities and a wahroom specially designed for differently abled passengers will be declared open at the ceremony tomorrow, said Mr. Samarasinghe.

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Highways Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Deputy Minister of Social Services Lional Premasiri, General Manager of Railways (GMR) Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan and Director of the National Secretariat for Disabled People M. D. C. Jayamanna will take part at the event.

Source: Lankawin

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