Sri Lanka faced the cancellations of several train services on Sunday and Monday, severely inconveniencing the public, allegedly due to engine drivers going on leave as a group.
From among 216 regular train journeys, a total of 38 train services were cancelled on Sunday. Among them, 35 of the train services were cancelled on Sunday and 15 train services on Monday.
It is reported that the cancellations and delays had been caused due to engine drivers not reporting for work, applying sick leave as a group.
Warning from Deputy Transport Minister
Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena says an inquiry will be held into the sudden cancellation of train services, due to a group of drivers applying sick leave as a group.
Addressing the media yesterday, Deputy Minister Gunasena said that the cancellations are politically motivated, adding that the ministry knows the drivers behind the move.
Deputy Minister Gunasena said that explanations will be called from the drivers who had applied for leave, questioning the reasons for their sick leave.
“So many drivers cannot fall sick at the same time and go on leave at the same time. We will take the utmost action in this regard,” he said.
The Deputy Minister of Transport assured that the issue will be resolved in the next few weeks, even if it means halting train operations and resuming services.
Public severely inconvenienced
The cancellation of several train services had resulted in severe congestion and inconvenience for passengers, due to overcrowding.
Several of the passengers claimed that trains had been delayed by at least an hour or more and that there were fewer trains, but more passengers.
Some passengers claimed that they had come to know that the drivers had dropped a message in a WhatsApp group that they were going on leave for an alms giving, claiming it was unfair for passengers to face such a situation..
Railway Department confirms mass leave
Additional Railways General Manager – Operations, V.S. Polwattage, confirmed that the engine drivers had gone on leave together, causing the cancellations and delays in train services.
Polwattage said the group had taken leave together as they had not been granted leave recently.
He further said that Sri Lanka’s train operations have now become like day tours, based on the availability for the day, instead of regular operations. (Newswire)
