June 08, Colombo (LNW): A recent review by a parliamentary oversight body has drawn attention to a troubling pattern in railway safety, revealing that a significant number of level crossing accidents are occurring at sites already equipped with protective systems.
The revelation came during a session of the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA), where senior officials from the Railway Department were called to provide updates and respond to queries about ongoing safety issues and operational developments.
During the proceedings, Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi raised specific concerns about recurring accidents at railway crossings. In response, the General Manager of Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara, acknowledged that Sri Lanka still has around 1,200 railway crossings lacking adequate safety measures.
Despite many sites being fitted with warning systems or barriers, he admitted that the majority of incidents continue to take place at these supposedly safeguarded locations — a matter that raises questions about either public adherence to rules or the effectiveness of the safety infrastructure itself.
The discussion also turned to upgrades within the national rail service. K.K. Hewavithana, the Additional General Manager of the Mechanical Division, shared that approval had been secured for the acquisition of five new train sets. These will consist entirely of air-conditioned third-class carriages, marking a shift towards improving comfort and consistency in basic-tier rail travel.
He added that the move is part of a broader effort to modernise the railway’s ageing fleet and improve the experience for everyday commuters, particularly those who rely on long-distance services in often challenging travel conditions.
However, even as improvements in rolling stock are on the horizon, safety remains a pressing concern. Members of the committee urged the Railway Department to adopt more robust strategies to address the persistent dangers at level crossings, especially given that many incidents seem to occur despite existing preventive systems.
