Tense situ in Alawwa

20 May 2014 02:51 am

Some 15 trains were prevented from moving beyond the Alawwa Railway Station because of a protest by passengers over the delay in the Mahawa-Colombo office train, the Railway Control Room said

A tense situation prevailed at the station after the passengers attempted to assault the engine driver of the Mahawa to Colombo train this morning.

About 1,500 people who gathered at the station used concrete sleepers to block the railway line and disrupt the train services.  

When the train arrived at the Maradana railway Station a short while ago, few drivers at the station had forwarded two persons who had allegedly assaulted the train driver, to the Maradana Police Station.

Meanwhile Railway Trade Unions had met for a crucial meeting to discuss the Alawwa incident where passengers had attempted to assault a train driver. A trade union official said the decisions arrived at the meeting would be conveyed to the railway authorities.  

“We have decided on a work-to-rule campaign over the train accident at Pothuhera. Train delays are possible during such a campaign and as such train travellers should not assault drivers because of that. This is a serious matter,” Engine Drivers’ Association General Secretary K.A.U. Konthasinghe said.
(Chaturanga Pradeep)





(Pix by Jayantha Kumara Dissanayake)