Another engine driver assaulted

by Chamikara Weerasinghe

Police yesterday arrested three persons for assaulting an engine driver, the second such incident in two days. The train was plying along Kelani Valley railway line. Driver L. A. Kaluarachchi had been admitted to the Maharagama hospital following the incident.

The Trains Control Room said that the driver had been attacked by commuters at the Kottawa railway station. This is the second time in a week where an engine driver was attacked by commuters. The first incident was at Polgahawela two days ago.

Commuters charged train drivers for constant delays. They say that the drivers have been causing these delays on purpose since their defeat in a recent trade union action.

They however should not avenge their defeat on innocent commuters.

Condemning yesterday's incident, Railways General Manager Priyal de Silva said passengers have no right to take the law into their hands. "I have already informed about this incident to Inspector General of Police who extended his support to the Department by sending senior police officials," he said.

"Thus, the steps had been taken to arrest three suspects who had been produced before the courts," he said.

Explaining the cause for train delays, the General Manager said this was chiefly due to the poor railway infrastructure.

"We require 1,000 trains to operate the entire network whereas we do this with only 500. Of these 240 locomotives are overdue for repairs," he said.

"In a train compartment that could carry 80 passengers at a time, we carry about 180 passengers because of the lack of infrastructure. These carriages are more than 50 years old," de Silva explained. The railway tracks are also in a dilapidated condition in some areas.