September 18, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has delivered a sharp ultimatum to senior officials within the Railway Department, making it clear that continued negligence in the upkeep of railway infrastructure will no longer be tolerated.
Those failing to meet expected standards should be ready to relinquish their posts, he warned.
The warning came during a high-level meeting at the Kalutara District Secretariat, where Rathnayake met with Members of Parliament and key stakeholders in the transport sector to address longstanding deficiencies in the nation’s rail services.
His remarks followed a string of public complaints about deteriorating train conditions, particularly on major commuter routes such as the Galle–Colombo line.
The Minister did not mince his words in condemning the current state of many train compartments. He drew attention to a host of recurring issues, including shattered windows, broken or non-functioning ceiling fans, and appallingly unhygienic toilets—all of which contribute to a daily ordeal for thousands of working commuters.
“What we have right now is not a public transport service; it’s a disgrace,” Rathnayake remarked, expressing deep frustration. “How can ordinary workers depend on trains like these? Windows hanging off their frames, no ventilation, and toilets that are simply unusable—it’s unacceptable by any standard.”
He also highlighted a deeply troubling incident in which a young child lost two fingers during his first-ever train journey, after falling against a malfunctioning window. The case has sparked widespread public outcry and brought the issue of rail safety back into sharp focus.
Asserting that immediate action is non-negotiable, Rathnayake instructed officials to initiate visible repairs within the next four weeks. He demanded that improvements to critical components—such as windows, fans, and sanitation facilities—be treated as an urgent priority. Moreover, he insisted that each department head communicate their immediate action plans directly to him via WhatsApp within three days.
“This is not a request; it’s a final warning,” the Minister stated firmly. “If you cannot guarantee even the most basic service for our people, you have no business staying in your position. I am utterly fed up with the excuses.”
