'Engine drivers have a responsibility to the public'

By Ranil Wijayapala

Railway engine drivers should try to do their maximum while following rules and regulations as they also have a responsibility not to inconvenience the public by delaying trains, said General Manager of Railways (GMR) B.A.P. Ariyaratne yesterday.

While condemning any form of assault on engine drivers engaged in trade union action after informing the management in writing, Ariyaratne said that it is not possible to provide police protection to every engine driver engaged in their duties.

The Railway Engine Drivers Association launched trade union action to protest against the faults in the Railway signal system after two train collisions within a week and the government's decision to suspend the engine drivers, their assistants and the station masters of the stations where the accidents took place.

Although trains are running as usual several trains were delayed as engine drivers stuck to the speed limits of the track. The engine drivers engaged in the work to rule campaign were assaulted on two occasions on Friday at Polgahawela and at Kurana, Katunayake.

The engine driver of the Colombo-bound Mahawa train was assaulted at Polgahawela while the engine driver of the Chilaw-bound train from Colombo was assaulted at Kurana railway station on Friday evening.

According to the Railways Department one suspect in the Katunayake incident was handed over to the Police by the engine driver. The GMR said that they were not aware who were responsible for the attacks on engine drivers and Police investigations were still on.

"We will see what possible steps we can take to settle this situation," he said.

He said not only Railways Department inquiries but also independent inquiries are now being conducted into the train collisions in Pothuhera and Aluthgama and the truth will be known once the investigations are over.

Railway control room sources said that there were no major delays in train services yesterday except for some minor delays reported.

"That is also not solely due to the work-to-rule campaign but due to maintenance work on railway tracks.

We are expecting similar situation today too," the spokesman said.