Sri Lanka Railways has amended the train schedule along the Batticaloa line starting from Friday (07 Mar), to prevent elephant-train collisions.

According to the Railway Department, the ‘Meenagaya’ intercity express train, which travels through an elephant corridor, will leave Colombo Fort for Batticoloa at 11.00 pm this Friday. 

The Railway Department further said that additionally, Power Sets will be deployed instead of engine-driven trains.

The change from the usual 07.00 pm departure time follows a collision which killed a herd of elephants last month. (Newswire)

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The Faculty of Engineering of Peradeniya University has produced a special device as a solution to the incidents of train-elephant collisions reported in Sri Lanka. 

The unique device has been created using artificial intelligence to prevent the deaths of elephants, a recent incident in which nearly six elephants were killed.

According to Professor Lilantha Samaranayake, the dean of that faculty, the new device has been tested and has provided successful results.

He pointed out that this device will notify the train driver even if a wild elephant is on the railway track at a distance of about 500 meters.

The Railway and Wildlife departments have granted approval for this device. 

Professor Lilantha Samaranayake added that the Railway Department has informed that it requires 4 such devices. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Railways Engine Drivers’ Union has condemned the accusations levelled against train engine drivers regarding incidents of deaths of elephants due to collisions.

Addressing the media, a representative of the Sri Lanka Railways Engine Drivers’ Union said that several environmentalists and activists have made recent claims without researching well on the cause of train-elephant collisions.

He explained that heavy-weight trains, transporting goods and fuel, especially from areas with elephants, such as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Gal-Oya, have been restricted to night trains.

The representative said that the recent incident of deaths of several elephants was reported after colliding with one such night train.

He said the Union has taken measures to ensure extra safety when travelling through areas with elephants, such as Gal-Oya to Maha-Oya, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. 

“When searching for short-term solutions to this issue, there are three key factors that contribute to elephant-train collisions. These are the weight of the train, the speed of the train, and the layout of the area. These cannot be prevented, especially the train’s speed,” he said.

The representative said that instant information to train engine drivers on elephants near railway tracks may prevent such incidents, adding that a scientific solution must be sought by all stakeholders in this regard.

He further warned that the Sri Lanka Railways Engine Drivers’ Union will be forced to withdraw from operating night trains if an unfair solution is made due to public uproar.

The remarks come after six elephants were killed after being hit by the Meena Gaya train between Gal Oya and Minneriya, causing the train to derail.

The incident, last week, occurred on the Batticaloa railway line, leading to significant delays in train services. (Newswire)

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