Sri Lanka Railways Forum

Train travel is getting easier these days with the inclusion of new units. But, the staff needs training very badly. Recently, I was waiting for the 1.20 p.m. Maradana train at Moratuwa Station. At 2.10 p.m. they announced that this train will come a little late. At 3.05 p.m. the 2.18 train came and the large crowd some how managed to get in.

When I got out from Wellawatte, immediately followed the next train almost empty. I overheard a lady waiting at the platform saying that when she came the 1.20 p.m. train was ready at Panadura with the engine fitted to front around 1pm. Following morning, I saw an engine pulling another engine towards South from Wellawatte.

Won’t it be nicer if the Moratuwa announcement was given at 1.20 p.m. that this train will not run today and the next train is at 3 p.m.

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The man who built the bridge over the River Kwai for the movie classic has died aged 85.

War veteran and civil engineer Keith Best OBE, of Chessingham Gardens, off Tadcaster Road in York, designed and built the centrepiece of the 1957 film, which scooped seven Oscars, including Best Picture.

While the bridge was constructed by prisoners of war in two months, the actual one built in Sri Lanka by Best for the filming took eight months, with the use of 500 workers and 35 elephants.

It was demolished in a matter of seconds, and the total cost was o85,000, equivalent to more than o1.2 million in today’s money. Best died on Sunday after losing his battle against cancer.

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Railway workers are up in arms over the recent decision to reduce the Treasury subsidy on their season tickets under the recent increase of train fares to meet at least a part of the operating costs.

The All Ceylon Railway Employees’ Union said although they understand the need to cut down on losses urgently the workers shouldn’t be overburdened.

A spokesman for the union yesterday told The Island, they wanted a meeting with Railways General Manager Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan to discuss the issue.

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Railway employees have urged the Railway Minister to strengthen security at all major railway stations following the bomb explosion in a train at Dehiwela, the All Ceylon Railway Employees General Union (ACREGU) said.

Nine railway commuters died and more than 70 were injured when a parcel bomb exploded in a Panadura bound train at Dehiwela last week and this was the second explosion targeting train commuters within three months. ACREGU sources said the Railway Ministry has failed to provide adequate security to the 300,000 railway commuters in the country.

General Secretary, ACREGU, Sumathipala Manawadu told The Morning Leader that the Railway Ministry’s failure to strengthen security in major railway stations was a clear indication of how the railway authorities were unconcerned about the safety of train commuters.

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Railways Chief Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan last night said the blast had hit the Maradana bound train after its engine and the first two compartments had passed the explosive device.

Speaking to The Island after visiting the scene of the latest attack earlier in the day, the Railways General Manager said the blast had damaged a section of the track.

He expressed surprise that none of the six compartments were derailed despite travelling over the damaged track. Although the train hadn’t been full at the time, had it derailed it would have caused heavy loss of life, he said.

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General Manager Railways, Dr Lalithsri Gunaruwan said that trains will operate according to schedule despite the explosion that occurred between Wellawatte and Dehiwala this morning (4th).

He confirmed that no derailment or major damage has occurred to the track apart from a dent and an opening in the track which is already being attended to.  The Railway Department could not comment on security measures as the officers in the railway were not experts on such issues

He also reiterated that the Railway Department continues to seek the cooperation of the public and its passengers whose vigilance alone can minimize the work of disruptive elements.

Source: News

A first in Sri Lanka but long overdue project amounting to Rs. 3 billion of railway electrification was proposed by the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) yesterday.

This was revealed at the launch of “Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka”, by IESL which is the fifth publication launched by the Institution following the centenary celebrations in 2006.

A electrical railway system of 64 Km route length and 156 Km track length has been proposed from Veyangoda to Panadura for the Diesel Multiple Units (known popularly as power man units), currently used by Sri Lanka Railways. The project has proposed for an overhead power supply with a voltage supply of 25kV. One railway track will be used specifically for return journeys according to the proposal.

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