The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a railway catering service after it was found guilty of selling bottled drinking water above the Government‑prescribed Maximum Retail Price (MRP) aboard the Kankesanthurai–Colombo train.

The case was filed by Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) district investigation officers following a special raid in Anuradhapura on July 9, 2026. During the inspection, officers discovered that a 1000 ml bottle of water, marked at Rs. 120, was being sold for Rs. 150 inside the train canteen.

Upon considering the evidence, the Magistrate ruled that the establishment had violated Direction No. 96 issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act and imposed the penalty.

The CAA has formally notified the Sri Lanka Railways Department about the sale of goods at excessive prices in train canteens. Officials confirmed that the same establishment had previously faced legal action for similar violations and has now been strictly warned to comply fully with consumer protection laws.

The Authority emphasized that while it seeks to guide traders through awareness and instruction, it will not hesitate to take strict legal action against any trader or establishment that disregards regulations.

Passengers are urged to report traders selling goods above the prescribed Maximum Retail Price aboard trains or elsewhere via the CAA hotline 1977. (Newswire/ AI image)

The post Train canteen fined Rs. 500,000 for selling bottled water above MRP appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced the commencement of the train service between Colombo Fort and Talaimannar, starting today (24).

Train No. 5003 will depart Colombo Fort at 3:50 pm daily and reach Talaimannar at 10:28 pm, while Train No. 5004 will begin its return journey from Talaimannar at 4:10 am the following day, arriving at Colombo Fort at 10:44 am.

The service will stop at major stations including Gampaha, Kurunegala, Maho, Anuradhapura, Medawachchiya, Mannar Town, and Talaimannar Town. 

However, until renovation work at Anuradhapura New Town station is completed, the train will not halt there.

The train will feature two air‑conditioned first‑class compartments with reserved seating. 

Passengers can book seats online via seatreservation.railway.gov.lk or at stations with reservation facilities. (Newswire)

The post Colombo–Talaimannar train service resumes appeared first on Newswire.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has initiated legal proceedings against a canteen operating inside the Colombo–Jaffna express train after officials uncovered the sale of drinking water bottles above the stipulated price.

During a raid conducted at the Anuradhapura Railway Station, CAA officers found that bottles marked at Rs. 120 were being sold for Rs. 150, exploiting passengers. 

Officials confirmed that legal action has been initiated against those responsible.

The CAA has also formally notified the Department of Railways in writing about the inconvenience caused to commuters by inflated prices in train canteens. 

Authorities revealed that four similar raids have been carried out recently, targeting canteens inside train compartments. (Newswire)

The post Legal action over Rs. 150 water bottle on Colombo–Jaffna train appeared first on Newswire.

The Railway Department has announced that passenger train services between Badulla and Nanu Oya will recommence from June 20, following the completion of restoration work on the line damaged by Cyclone Ditwah last year.

A landslide between the Nanu Oya and Ambewela stations had forced services to operate only between Ambewela and Badulla. 

According to the railway Department, repair work has now been fully completed, with a successful trial run conducted yesterday (17) at the affected site.

The National Building Research Organization, working in collaboration with the private sector, restored the damaged section under the supervision of the Railway Department. 

With the reopening, trains will once again run from Nanu Oya to Badulla, reinstating a vital transport link for passengers. (Newswire)

The post Badulla–Nanu Oya train service to resume from June 20 appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka has launched a new online system to issue concessionary railway season tickets for government officials, marking another step in the National Digitalization Programme. 

The initiative was formally introduced today (09) under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena.

Under the programme, government institutions must register on the digital railway platform to apply for concessionary season tickets for their staff. 

At the inaugural event, officials representing 35 state institutions took part in the registration process.

Officials requiring concessionary passes will be able to register through the Pravesha mobile app or the www.pravesha.lk website, coordinated by their institution’s subject officer. 

Registered officials will be able to apply for July season tickets starting from June 15, 2026.

The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Highways together with Sri Lanka Railways and the Greater Colombo Railway Project. 

Authorities expect the initiative to make the national digital transformation programme a reality, while improving efficiency, service quality, and passenger convenience in the railway sector. (Newswire)

The post Online system introduced for concessionary railway season tickets for Govt officials appeared first on Newswire.

The Railway Department has announced that several special train services will operate from May 30 – 31 to facilitate travel during the Vesak Full Moon Poya.

According to the department, the services are aimed at easing travel for devotees heading to Anuradhapura and for the public attending the State Vesak Festival at the ancient Raja Maha Vihara in Thihagoda, Midellawela, in Matara. 

The department confirmed that these additional train journeys will run over the two‑day Vesak period to accommodate the expected surge in passenger numbers.

Further details of the schedules and routes are as follows;

The post Special train services for Vesak appeared first on Newswire.

A major accident was narrowly avoided when a train driver and a wildlife officer acted swiftly to prevent a collision with a wild elephant crossing the tracks between Habarana and Palugaswewa.

The incident occurred as the Batticaloa–Colombo train was travelling through the area. 

Mobile phone footage captured the elephant crossing the railway line, highlighting the tense moments as the train approached.

Thanks to the driver’s quick reflexes, the train was brought under control, averting disaster. 

At the same time, a wildlife officer travelling in the engine spotted the elephant and alerted the driver, ensuring another potential accident was avoided. (Newswire)

The post Watch : Train-elephant collision prevented near Habarana appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced temporary changes to train operations on the Kelani Valley line as essential repair work is carried out at the Kota Road railway crossing, located between Baseline and Narahenpita stations.

The Department said the crossing will be closed and train services restricted during the maintenance period from 09.30 am on May 23 to 07.30 am on May 24.

On Saturday, May 23, three slow trains will depart from Narahenpita railway station to Avissawella, while traffic will be completely restricted at the Kotta Road railway crossing.

On Sunday, May 24, trains will not operate from Colombo Fort to Narahenpita stations on the Kelani Valley line, while three slow trains will operate from Narahenpita Station to Avissawella Station.

Sri Lanka Railways urged passengers to take note of the schedule changes and plan their journeys accordingly. (Newswire)

The post Train services limited on Kelani Valley Line due to repair work appeared first on Newswire.

Four persons have been reported injured in the train derailment between the Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations today (16).

According to the Police, the injured passengers have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. 

Train operations on the Main Line have been disrupted, while one track has been blocked after one of the carriages overturned on the railway line.

The train was reportedly travelling from Polgahawela to Colombo when the derailment occurred. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

The post Train derailment : Four people injured appeared first on Newswire.

Train operations on the Puttalam railway line have been limited to Chilaw station after several sections of track near Thilladi were submerged by floodwaters, the Railway Department announced.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the department said adverse weather conditions had inundated multiple points along the line, forcing services to be curtailed. 

Rising water levels are expected to continue, prompting the suspension of trains beyond Chilaw for both today and tomorrow (May 14).

As a result, the Puttalam office train and all other scheduled services will operate only between Colombo Fort and Chilaw today, while tomorrow morning trains will commence journeys from Chilaw station.

The Railway Department added that updates on train operations between Chilaw and Puttalam will be provided depending on weather and track conditions. (Newswire)

The post Inclement weather : Train services on Puttalam line curtailed to Chilaw due to flooding appeared first on Newswire.

Seat reservations can now be made for the iconic Yal Devi train service between Colombo Fort and Jaffna, which resumed operations today (11) after months of suspension.

Sri Lanka Railways confirmed that the service will run on a limited schedule. 

The train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanthurai departs at 6:40 am and arrives at 2:33 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

The return journey from Kankesanthurai to Colombo Fort departs at 10:30 am and arrives at 7:03 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Sri Lanka Railways states passengers can book seats online through the official reservation portal at seatreservation.railway.gov.lk.(Newswire)

The post Seat reservations open for resumed Yal Devi train service appeared first on Newswire.

Train services have been disrupted following a derailment at the Dematagoda Railway Station today (04).

According to the Railway Department, train services have been disrupted from Colombo Fort to Kalutara South and Rambukkana. (Newswire)

The post Train services disrupted due to derailment in Dematagoda appeared first on Newswire.

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday (28) imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on a vendor for selling drinking water bottles above the maximum retail price at the canteen of the ‘Meenagaya’ train.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), investigations revealed that the stipulated maximum retail price for a 1000 ml water bottle is Rs. 100. 

However, the vendor had sold the bottles for Rs. 160, overcharging passengers on the Colombo to Batticaloa train by Rs. 60.

The raid was conducted by an investigating officer from the CAA, who posed as a regular customer and purchased the overpriced bottle before taking action. (Newswire/ AI image)

The post Train vendor fined Rs. 100,000 for pricey water bottles appeared first on Newswire.

Fourteen people have been confirmed killed and more than 80 injured in a collision involving two trains near the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with rescue workers continuing efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage.

The crash late on Monday night occurred at Bekasi city’s rail station, adjoining Jakarta, between a commuter line train and a long-distance train, the spokesperson for the commuter line operator, Karina Amanda, told the Reuters news agency.

“Based on the latest data as of 08:45 WIB [Western Indonesian Time] (01:45 GMT), 14 people have been confirmed dead,” the state-owned KAI rail company said in a statement on Tuesday. Another 84 people have received hospital treatment, it added.

Emergency workers are actively working at the scene to free people who remain trapped in the wreckage, said Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS).

Syafii said efforts to rescue those still trapped in the wreckage were complicated by the limited space in which rescuers were working and the severe damage to the train carriages, according to local news outlet Kompas.com.

Emergency workers need to work “slowly” to cut away wreckage and free those trapped inside the mangled carriages, Syafii said, according to Kompas.com.

Rescuers disengaged the trains and were using angle grinders to cut through the metal framework of compartments to free passengers, according to reports at the scene of the accident.

Anne Purba, the spokeswoman for the state-owned railway operator KAI, had reported an initial toll of five people killed and 79 injured, which jumped to 14 dead on Tuesday morning.

Franoto Wibowo, a spokesman for KAI, said a taxi appears to have clipped the commuter train on a level crossing, causing it to come to a standstill on the tracks, where it was then hit by the long-distance train.

Kompas.com identified the trains involved as the Jakarta to Cikarang commuter train and the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train, which is described as Indonesia’s premier high-speed train service between Jakarta and Surabaya. (Al Jazeera)

The post Death toll after train crash near Indonesia’s Jakarta rises to 14 appeared first on Newswire.

Train services on the coastal line were severely disrupted this morning (24) after the Sagarika train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa railway station.

According to the Railway Department, services from Colombo have been restricted to Panadura, while trains from Matara are limited to Kalutara.

The derailment blocked both tracks, bringing long‑distance services along the coastal route to a complete halt. 

Recovery operations are underway, though officials have not yet announced when full services will resume. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

The post Coastal train services limited after train derailment appeared first on Newswire.

The Railway Department has announced that special train services will be operated over the next two days to facilitate the return of passengers who travelled to their hometowns during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

The Department confirmed that the trains will run on April 18 and 19, ensuring smoother travel and reducing congestion on regular services.

According to officials, these services will operate from Anuradhapura, Kankasanthurai, Matara, and Beliatta, catering to the large number of commuters heading back to their workplaces and residences after the festive holidays.

The detailed timetable for these special trains is as follows:

The post Railway Department announces special New Year return trains appeared first on Newswire.

Authorities have introduced special transport arrangements from today (15) to facilitate the return of passengers who travelled to villages for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Sanjeewa Kanagaratne announced that the services will commence this afternoon.

The National Transport Commission has also confirmed that additional buses have been allocated across provinces to meet passenger needs. 

Director of Operations Sherin Athukorala said instructions have been issued to all Provincial Transport Authorities to ensure smooth service. 

He added that the SLTB recorded over Rs. 600 million in income between April 9 and yesterday, a record figure for the holiday period. 

However, private bus services remain limited, with only about 30% of buses operating today, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairman Gamunu Wijerathne. 

Meanwhile, the Railway Department has also deployed several special train journeys to meet passenger demand.

Railways Director of Operations Asanka Samarasinghe noted that office trains are running as usual, with extra trains added depending on demand.

The Road Development Authority also reported that vehicle movement on expressways over the past four days generated Rs. 196.1 million in revenue. (Newswire)

The post Special transport services begin today for Sinhala and Tamil New Year return travel appeared first on Newswire.

The National Transport Commission (NTC), in collaboration with the Department of Railways and the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), has announced an integrated transport plan to facilitate passenger travel during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period from April 8 to 20, 2026.

According to the NTC, around 800 additional inter‑provincial bus journeys will be deployed daily under the supervision of the SLTB and the National Transport Commission. 

These services are expected to cater to the increased passenger demand travelling to destinations such as Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Hatton, Monaragala, Embilipitiya, Chilaw, and Galle.

The Department of Railways has also arranged special train services from Colombo Fort station on existing routes, supplementing regular operations. 

Meanwhile, the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority has prepared buses centred on towns, including Nawinna, Gampaha, Kaduwela, Negombo, Avissawella, Panadura, Kadawatha, Kalutara, and Katunayake, to ease travel for passengers heading to villages.

Authorities expect nearly 1.5 million passengers to arrive at bus and railway terminals in Colombo and surrounding towns during the festive period. Sanitary facilities, security measures, and first aid services have been arranged at bus terminals, with officials assigned for special duties.

A 24‑hour operations centre and customer service unit have been established by the National Transport Commission, and passengers can contact the hotline 1955 or 0712595555 (WhatsApp) for assistance. 

Officials also confirmed that inspections will be carried out around the clock to prevent overcharging, ensure service quality, and safeguard passenger safety. (Newswire)

The post Special transport plan announced for New Year season appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced that train services on the Northern line, including the Kankesanthurai intercity train, Night Mail train, and the Yarl Devi train, will resume this week.

According to the Railway Department, services from Jaffna to Kankesanthurai will restart, with the Jaffna Intercity train and Jaffna Night Mail train operating daily from April 9, while the popular Yal Devi train will resume daily operations from April 10.

The department has announced the resumption of services following the completion of repair works to sections of the Northern railway Line damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe damage to 14 locations along the Northern railway line, forcing authorities to suspend services. Temporary repairs allowed trains to operate at reduced speed between Colombo Fort and Jaffna from December 24, 2025. However, permanent restoration work required another suspension from January 19, 2026.

The repair project, funded with USD 5 million provided by the Government of India, included the reconstruction of the 14 damaged sites, installation of five new bridges along the Mahawa–Omanthai stretch, and completion of the “Kasikote” elephant tunnel. 

With these works now complete, Sri Lanka Railways confirmed that full services on the Northern line will resume, restoring a vital transport link for the region. (Newswire)

The post Northern Line Train Services to Resume From April 9 appeared first on Newswire.

The Government Analyst visited the Galle railway station this morning (01) to inspect two train compartments that were destroyed in a fire last night.

The blaze broke out in two of the four train compartments parked near the station on Tuesday (31). 

Firefighters from the Galle Municipal Council deployed two fire engines to extinguish the flames, assisted by Police officers, railway staff, and local residents.

The Galle Police have launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

The post Government Analyst inspects train compartments destroyed in Galle fire appeared first on Newswire.