Sudden train cancellations irk station masters

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has objected to the decision reached by Sri Lanka Railways.

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has objected to the decision reached by Sri Lanka Railways to cancel the night mail trains and several express trains where passengers can reserve seats in advance, without prior notice. The Association said the cancellation of train services is an act of sabotage, while passengers have reserved seats for the Kankesanthurai intercity Seedevi train and the night mail train as well as the Rajarata Rajina train.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association Sumedha Somaratne said during the discussion held with the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways a decision was reached to carry out railway operations according to the schedule from the 2nd of January. He said, however, instead returning train journeys to normalcy was being delayed.

Somaratne noted the night mail train, Seedevi train and the Rajarata Rajina train were due to resume operations from yesterday, adding however it was cancelled without prior notice. Somaratne added as a result commuters and station masters were severely inconvenienced yesterday.

He strongly objected to the move and questioned the motive behind the act of sabotage. Sumedha Somaratne said the association may have to resort to trade union action against the move.