Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says officials who are unable to ensure the proper functioning of railway services can leave their positions.
Minister Rathnayake pointed out that officials of the Railway Department have failed to maintain the railway system adequately.
He made these remarks while attending a discussion held at the Kalutara District Secretariat, alongside Members of Parliament representing the Kalutara District and other state officials connected to the transport sector.
“You can’t even close the windows on your trains. They say they’ll fix it, but once the windows are shut, the seats get soaked. Not a single fan works. On a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Galle to Colombo, there’s no water in the only washroom. These are office trains—can’t you transport people in an orderly way? It’s as if the officials have no concern for the public. A small child from Ja-Ela lost two fingers when he fell against a window on his very first train ride. After that, we as parents must take responsibility too. I spoke to the father. He asked me, ‘Sir, why should we live in this country?” he said.
Minister Rathnayake further instructed the relevant officials to carry out some kind of repairs, such as washrooms, windows, and fans, within a month.
“To everyone in the Railway Department, if you can’t provide the service, then leave. This is the final warning,” he said. (Newswire)