Derailments increase due to neglect of railway tracks

By Rathindra Kuruwita

A train running from Kandy to Colombo derailed between Peradeniya and Pilimathalawa stations yesterday morning. This was the 43rd derailment this year, General Secretary of the Railway Station Masters Union Kasun Chamara Jayasekara said.

“The express train derailed at 4.47 am. This affected traffic along the line in the morning. The last carriage in the train was derailed,” he said.

Jayasekara said that the train service had been restored by 12.30 pm.The main reason for the increasing number of accidents is the neglected state of the rail tracks, he said.

“We have been warning of such accidents from last year. Most railway lines need repairs and because of the lack of manpower and material, the railway department has not been able to keep the tracks in good condition.

The previous General Manager and political authorities ignored our warnings,” he said.Jayasekara said the current administration had taken steps to procure necessary materials including sleepers. However, the department will receive them in March 2023, he said.

“The government is also not recruiting new personnel for the state sector. We have a serious shortage of manpower, especially in the technical sectors. Unless immediate action is not taken, the situation will further deteriorate. So far we have not had accidents that led to deaths, things might change soon,” he warned.