The Railway's Department had decided to cancel 123 train services early this month due to various reasons and due to a staff shortage, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Union (SLRSMU) said.

They said other than the cancellation of 30 train services within the past three days, a large number of train services were cancelled due to the absence of train driver assistants.

Train commuters and passengers traveling by train have been inconvenienced as a result of the non-operation of trains, according to the union.

Accordingly, 36 train services, including 27 passenger trains and nine oil and cargo trains, were cancelled on January 28. A total of 44 train services, including 29 passenger trains and 15 oil and cargo trains, were cancelled on January 29. A total of 43 train services, including 36 passenger trains and 12 oil and cargo trains, were cancelled yesterday (January 30).

Passengers have been forced to travel on trains with the fewest amenities due to massive overcrowding. A total of three accidents have been reported due to people traveling near train doors, the SLRSMU said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)