A group of environmental activists has filed a fundamental rights petition with the Supreme Court, requesting legal action against the 67-year-old train driver involved in the incident where seven elephants were killed by the Meenagaya train in the Habarana area last February.
The petitioners have urged that the General Manager of Railways and other authorities be ordered to take disciplinary measures, pointing out that no disciplinary action has yet been taken against the train driver involved in the incident, and that he continues to remain in service.
The petition calls for a formal investigation into the elephant deaths caused by the train collision and requests that disciplinary action be taken against the train driver and other relevant staff involved in the incident.
The petition was filed by environmental activists K. Priyadarshani S.R. Adikaram, L.A.R. Chandrasantha, Anusha David, and L.V.J. Chandrasantha.
Twelve individuals have been named as respondents in the petition, including the General Manager of Railways, the Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, the Director General of Wildlife Conservation, the Minister of Environment, and the Minister of Transport.
According to the petitioners, on February 19, the Meenagaya train travelling on the Colombo–Batticaloa railway line struck seven elephants. Six elephants died at the scene, and a wounded calf later succumbed to its injuries.
The petitioners also highlight that additional elephant deaths due to train collisions occurred on March 3, May 2, and August 7 this year.
They allege that despite the rising number of elephant deaths from train collisions, both the railway authorities and the Department of Wildlife Conservation have failed to take effective preventive measures.
In 2023, there were 488 recorded elephant deaths, 24 of which were caused by train collisions. In 2024, 386 elephant deaths were recorded, with 11 attributed to train collisions.
The petitioners request the court to order the General Manager of Railways to submit a report within three months detailing the measures and actions taken to prevent the increasing number of elephant deaths.
Additionally, the petition seeks an interim order preventing train drivers who have exceeded retirement age from operating trains between Gal Oya Junction and Batticaloa Station, and between Gal Oya Junction and Trincomalee Station. (Newswire)