Fowzie to take stern action against errant officials

Train rams into Podi Menike

by Ananda Kannangara

Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie said yesterday that he would take stern action against officials who were on duty at the time a Colombo bound trains from Polgahawela rammed into the "Podi Menike" express train which was halted due to a signal failure on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, the condition of Prabath Niroshan (30) who was critically injured following the train accident between Alawwa and Yaththalagoda is fast improving, Colombo National Hospital (CNH) sources said yesterday.

A senior medical officer of the CNH accident service told the Sunday Observer that the victim's head was injured due to the accident.

Two other passengers who were also injured were admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital and will be discharged within the next two days. According to a Railway Control Room spokesman, a train from Polgahawela had rammed into the `Podi Menike' and damaged the observation car. He said the accident had occurred due to a failure in the signal system due to the prevailing weather conditions. The damaged track was repaired by the Railway Department yesterday.

[email protected]