The “Udarata Menike” express train bound for Badulla from the Colombo Fort Railway Station yesterday, had failed to stop at Gampaha and continued on to Veyangoda.

The train had then returned to Gampaha to pick up over fifty passengers who had made bookings in advance to travel by this express train.

The train had left Colombo Fort at 9.45 am and was scheduled to reach Gampaha at 10.15 am, but, to the amazement of the commuters, it had passed through without stopping.

By the time this irregularity was brought to the notice of the train control room by the Station Master at Gampaha, the train had reached Veyangoda, 14 kilometres away. The engine driver had then returned to Gampaha at 10.45 am and picked up the waiting passengers and resumed his journey.

The Railways Department is to hold a disciplinary inquiry against the driver, his assistant, the head guard and the junior guard with regard to this error. (Mahinda Nissanka and T Dissanayake)