Take prompt action to install railway gates – President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday directed the Sri Lanka Railway authorities to take prompt action to initiate a security system to install railway gates to prevent accidents at railway crossings.

The President had summoned a special meeting at Temple Trees yesterday with all relevant parties to explore all possible methods to prevent accidents that frequently take place at unsafe railway crossings around the country. He further directed the Sri Lanka Railway officials to work with the Police and Civil Defense Committees to implement a successful methodology with the help of residents living near railway crossings.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama pointed out that there are 1,083 railway crossings around the country and only 329 crossings had security gates.

The other 754 crossings do not have proper security gates. “Around 168 railway crossings are on the coastal belt,” he said. The President directed that reliable and practical methods be followed such as seeking the help of technicians in these respective regions to prepare gates.

The President also requested that a detailed report on the planning and designing of railway gates be submitted to him immediately. It was decided that unsafe railway crossings along the coastline be given priority when fixing gates.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and officials were also presentwere also present.

(Courtesy: Daily News)