Railway Station Masters Warn of Trade Union Action Over Safety and Operational Concerns
August 01, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association (SLRSMA) has warned that it may launch trade union action in the near future unless urgent measures are taken to address a series of unresolved operational and safety issues within the Railway Department.
SLRSMA Chairman Sumedha Somaratne said the Association remains deeply concerned about the continued operation of train services under what it describes as unsafe conditions, particularly on the Talaimannar railway line. While services on the route resumed last week, he claimed that the signalling system, which had suffered serious defects, has yet to be properly repaired or restored.
According to Somaratne, trains operating on the single-track section between Medawachchiya and Talaimannar Pier are currently being managed using the “pilot method” of train control. He explained that this procedure is intended only as a temporary measure during exceptional situations, such as signalling failures or emergency disruptions, but alleged that it has now become the standard operating practice on the route instead of being used on a short-term basis.
He further stated that signalling problems affecting the Maho–Anuradhapura section also remain unresolved, with train movements continuing under temporary signalling arrangements rather than a fully functional system. The Association argues that these prolonged measures raise concerns about operational efficiency and the long-term reliability of railway services.
Somaratne also expressed concern over the condition of recently upgraded railway infrastructure, alleging that lines reconstructed at a cost of billions of rupees in public funds are beginning to deteriorate due to inadequate maintenance and the failure to implement necessary operational improvements after the completion of the projects.
The Association maintains that these issues require immediate intervention to ensure both the safety of railway operations and the efficient functioning of the national rail network. It has warned that failure to resolve the signalling defects and broader operational shortcomings could leave it with no alternative but to initiate trade union action.
According to the SLRSMA, its concerns and demands have already been formally conveyed to the relevant authorities in writing, and it is now awaiting a prompt response before deciding on its next course of action.
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