News
With Friday’s resumption of ferry service to Lanka, Indian railways urged to operate more trains from Nagapattinam
With passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka scheduled to resume on August 16, trade bodies and rail users’ association in the Indian port town have reiterated their demand for introduction of more trains either from Karaikal or Velankanni to various destinations within the State for the benefit of local and overseas tourists, The Hindu reported yesterday.
The report filed from Tirushi said: Rail services to key southern districts in the State and Bengaluru either from Karaikal or Velankanni via Nagapattinam was required as it would prove beneficial not only for locals but also for overseas travellers who arrive by the ferry, they say.
At present, there are only two daily express trains being operated via Nagapattinam — one from Karaikal to Ernakulam and the other from Karaikal to Chennai. There is a bi-weekly service from Velankanni to Ernakulam and a weekly service from Velankanni to Vasco Da Gama and one from Karaikal to Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.
The existing rail services are inadequate given the tremendous movement of tourists to Velankanni, Nagore and Tirunallar, said S. Mohan, president, Nagore Nagapattinam Rail Users Association.
An overnight express train to Bengaluru from Velankanni or Karaikal, a day-time train to Tambaram from Velankanni, extension of the Punalur-Madurai train to Karaikal and a train to Coimbatore via Palani and Pollachi from Karaikal was needed which would fetch revenue to the railways. In view of the resumption of the ferry services, these demands should be seriously considered and more services introduced, Mohan said.
In the absence of proper train facilities, passengers have no other option but to travel by buses to southern and western destinations in the State. Infrastructure in and around Nagapattinam Port should be developed in view of the resumption of the ferry service and more trains either from Velankanni or Karaikal should be introduced, said R. Subash Chandran, president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nagapattinam.
Trains to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram covering the key southern districts could be seriously considered by the railway administration as this would help the local people as well as those arriving from Kankesanthurai, Subash Chandran added.
Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
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