Sri Lanka Railways Forum

The Railways Department will instal high-tech warning systems before the end of the year at 700 unprotected railway crossings in the country to avert accidents. This decision was taken following complaints from the public and police on vehicle-train accidents at unprotected railway crossings.

An official of the Railways Department told the Sunday Observer that nearly 60 train accidents were reported during the past 18 months, while around 20 persons including pedestrians succumbed to their injuries.

According to unofficial reports nearly 100 persons including children had sustained major and minor injuries following accidents. Referring to an accident which occurred on Thursday at Wadduwa in the Kalutara District where a train had collided with a trishaw at an unprotected railway crossing, he said that an infant travelling with his parents was killed on the spot.

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The Department of Railways has taken steps to recommence the Colombo Nanu-Oya intercity train service which was suspended some time back.

“This train service will resume based on requests made by the public and under the instructions received from the Minister of Transport,” said Wijeya Samarasinghe, Commercial Superintendent of Railways.

Accordingly, seats could be booked from today onwards for this train service, which is scheduled to commence tomorrow.

Source: newsfirst

The Government is planning to construct a branch railway line from Kurunegala to Habarana through Dambulla. Minister of Transport, Kumara Welgama told the recent meeting of the Matale District Development Committee that the project will be inaugurated after considering the content of an on going feasibility study which was nearing completion. He said that the proposed project would provide enhanced transport facilities in several areas including Laggla, Pallegama, Wasgamuwa, Wilgamuwa, Hettihela, Minipe, Bakamuna, Elehera and Kottapitiya in the Matale district. He expressed concern about the hardships facing the people in those areas for want of transport facilities.

Source: Dailymirror

Indian and Chinese companies have been awarded two deals to modernise and rebuild parts of Sri Lanka’s railway network damaged by war and extend tracks, a government statement said.

It said the Cabinet had approved a deal to rebuild the Northern Railway Line signaling and telecommunication system to be given to the Indian Railway Construction International at a total cost of 86.5 million US dollars.

The track was destroyed during the 30-year ethnic war which ended in May 2009.

The state-owned Ceylon Government Railway is also to enter into a contract with China National Machinery Import and Export Corp (CM) l to develop the southern Matara – Beliatta railway line at a cost 290 million dollars.

The contract will include the signaling and telecommunication system, the ticketing system and their maintenance, the statement said.

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The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the Sri Lanka Railway Department (SLR) have jointly taken steps to use satellite technology to improve railway transport management.

ICTA and the SLR and gTrack Solutions Private Ltd. signed a MoU recently to use Satellite Technology that would greatly enhance the railway transport management in Sri Lanka.

This MoU to use the Global Position System (GPS) and the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) entailing satellite technology for more efficient train service management and more effective commuter satisfaction was signed at the Railway Department headquarters in Colombo last week.

ICTA Re-engineering Government Programme Director Vasantha Deshapriya said that as a result of the application of Satellite Technology as per the MoU anyone from anywhere would be able instantly to know where a train operating under the new technology is.

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With a top score of 54 runs, opening batsman Asanka Jayawickrema was the hero for the Railway Department in their 123 run win over Sri Lanka Customs in their State Services 50 over cricket fixture that was played at the Railway Ground, Mount Mary on Wednesday.

Taking first lease of the wicket, Railway with Asanka Jayawickrema anchoring the innings and a solid 41 from Chrishantha Rodrigo who was unfortunate to miss well deserved half century by nine runs, posted a respectable total of 223 runs before they were dismissed.

Customs in reply were shot out for 100 runs with M. Samaraskera (23) and Athula Fernando (16) the only batsmen to put any resistance. Hasitha Perera who bagged four wickets for five runs was the pick of the Railway bowlers.

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A high ranking official of the Department of Sri Lanka Railways faces punitive disciplinary action following the revelation of his involvement in a transaction resulting in a loss of Rs 8.8 million to the government. Informed sources said that the ministry would take action, though interested parties were making an attempt to hush up the investigation. Sources said that the official was likely to be suspended pending an investigation.

Source: The Island