Vaccination success, trains back on track: Unions

Trains will be back on track from 1.30 pm today after the unions were assured of COVID vaccines for train drivers' and controllers', the Railway Engine Drivers and Train Controllers' Unions said.

The spokespersons on behalf of the unions said the COVID vaccination roll out began this morning at the Maradana Railway station.

"Initially the vaccination roll out began at the Campbell Park, Borella, but was unable to continue due to people from outside railway department gathered there to get vaccines. Hence the process was later shifted to Maradana station in the afternoon," the spokespersons said. 

Since the vaccination drive was successful, they expressed their consent to resume their service without any interruption, they said.

According to the Railways Control Room, ten trains including several long-distance trains were brought to the Colombo Fort station this morning and said they will run from Fort as scheduled.

However, the trains will be operated as per the schedule drawn last Thursday (13) to facilitate the state and private-sector employees who travel to and from their workplaces. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)