Railway Department aims to provide people-friendly services, happiness

26 December 2024 11:19 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 27 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, December 26 (Daily Mirror) - While assuming duties as the new General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways (GMR) today, Dhammika Jayasundara said that the Railway Department should transform into an institution that brings happiness to the people and to provide a people-friendly service.

Addressing the media, he thanked the Cabinet Ministers for appointing him again as the General Manager of Railways (GMR) for the Sri Lanka Railways Department.

"The Railways Department is a vital institution for the livelihoods of the people. According to the government's new policies, there is a plan to increase train usage by 70% to facilitate daily travel," he said.

Acknowledging the existing issues within the Railways Department, he assured that steps will be taken to address and resolve them as soon as possible.

Comments - 27

Mark Anandappa Thursday, 26 December 2024 11:28 AM

Please arrange people to have easy access for Upcountry train observation salon booking. It always booked but see empty seats.

0 21

Sokrates Thursday, 26 December 2024 02:08 PM

This is because railway employees and their families book the seats in the observation wagon free of charge and then don't use them. Apart from that, all the carriages are rubbish. In a developed country, the first class of the SLR would barely be sold as fifth class.

0 1

Sampath Thursday, 26 December 2024 11:33 AM

Ok. we will keep dreaming of that elusive day.

3 13

Bandu Abey Thursday, 26 December 2024 11:50 AM

Lankan railways is one of the most unreliable and hence disgraceful institution which needs complete overhaul. I challenge the whole department to maintain one day running smoothly without causing a failure anywhere. It runs only a few trains compared to services provided in other countries. If Railways can maintain reliable, comfortable and reasonable service it would attract more customers reducing the necessity of having so many road vehicles and hence the ever worsening atmospheric pollution. To this end motor vehicle registration, road tax and parking fees should be increased two to threefolds. Roads will be free, country will be healthier congestion will be minimised. President AKD'S must initiate his environment clean up from here. Fresh thinking and management of rail service is essential, long term. Not too early plan and improve the existing facilities forthwith. It will be a major win for the new Government and the country as a whole.

4 19

Gamini Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:52 PM

Before talking BS first provide efficient public transport, then talk of increasing fees to reduce vehicles on the road.

2 7

Aviator Thursday, 26 December 2024 02:01 PM

You are talking nonsense. Look at the whole state of the public transport in SL. It’s not just trains, look at the state of the buses. Do we even have metros or modern trams? The whole public transport system has to be overhauled with other new options before talking about reducing motor vehicles on the road. Cars are super expensive in Singapore because their public transport is so efficient, clean, modern and convenient that people don’t really need a personal vehicle unless one is super wealthy to afford one.

0 0

Amaran Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:12 PM

Our TRAINS are in deplorable condition. It urgently need maintenance. Just compare these carriages with the images of trains in developed countries. You will understand. MR and RW misused President's Funds monies only servicing to "cabinet" ministers. Secondly TRAIN STATIONS need to be refurbished to look a little bit more attractive. Please visit these stations personally to gather details of what and what need to be done.

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Practice Loving Kindness Often Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:22 PM

Actually, all public serving agencies must provide people centric services! In this stressed out world, a little kindness by everyone will go a long way. Hopefully, this new culture of people friendly environment will evolve soonest and there will be mutual respect with one another.

0 9

Thangamani Bhavan Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:28 PM

Sri Lankan Railway has been in a government monopoly structure providing very poor quality of service to Sri Lankan people, compared to even other South Asian countries. Traveling by train are time consuming, noisy, washrooms and compartments are not clean and hygienic, railway platforms are not maintained, importantly no updated technologies are adapted or blocked otherwise. As it is a government enterprise, no one is responsible and accountable to address these issues including negative profit. But, people have no any other good options other than of accepting and using this kind transportation service.

0 14

Amaran Thursday, 26 December 2024 01:11 PM

This is one of the such departments dominated by JVP trade unionist. Every initiatives were protested and stopped by JVPers in the past. JVPers only ruined OUR COUNTRY. Now they are in power. For every minor matter, they resorted to STRIKE inconveniencing the passengers immensely. There were many instances they launched STRIKE without notice.

7 14

Damith Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:37 PM

1. First : STOP the vandalizing of the railway rolling stocks , and also the other railway properties. To do it : Increase the penalties and other deterrents, and also tighten the laws. 2. Expand the existing railway lines. Double line Up to Homagama or Padukka on Kelani valley line. Also extending single line from Awissavella to Embilipitiya. 3. Improve the Railway workshop in the Rathmalana. This factory was one of the largest and best in South Asia... But now almost dead. 4. Make it Economical : Don’t use tax payers money to run it. Reduce the overtime pay of those who doesn’t do any work. But increase the salaries of those who work 5. STOP political appointments. Mr Kumara Welgama put lot of people from his Parliamentary seat; Agalawatta, to get votes. Let them retire, but NO more such a things 6. GM should be someone who knows , Economics and General administration. Does NOT needs to be a Mechanical Engineer, like CEB. Note: I’m a mechanical engineer Graduated in 1985 : Mor

0 13

Damith Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:53 PM

So it means all these days anti people services were provided form peoples tax money

0 7

saliya Thursday, 26 December 2024 12:55 PM

If only someone had a long term vision. Indian railways is the single largest employer, running one of the biggest railway networks in the world. We too have a very long way to go in improving the railway network and services. Stations and ticketing systems are out dated

0 4

Guest Thursday, 26 December 2024 01:00 PM

Raise the platform of railway stations so that there is easy access to railway commuter in getting in and out.

0 5

Dr. Dee Thursday, 26 December 2024 02:03 PM

Yes! And to load fish baskets, small desks and chairs, clothes racks and varies types of trade items , for free transportation

0 0

Do up the stations Thursday, 26 December 2024 01:19 PM

Do up the railway stations immediately, use the army to do it like they use to do up old heritage places. Look at some of the Colombo railway stations, it’s a disgrace. The Colpity one is almost collapsing, Lots of foreign tourist use trains, so you need to do up both trains and stations if we are to take pride in our tail system. The previous governments did nothing since they thought that is the poor mans travel mode and the rich didn’t care, I hope the current government will get this going immediately.

0 0

Neil Thursday, 26 December 2024 02:40 PM

If only the mega loans obtained to do reckless white elephant projects in the past, (i.e Mattala, Magampura, Sooriyawewa, Lotus Tower, Nelum Pokuna, etc.) had been channeled into something that would actually benefit every Sri Lankan, such as maintenance and modernization of SLGR and the rail network... These are the kind of projects that should have been given priority!

0 0

RanjithT Thursday, 26 December 2024 03:07 PM

Just streamline on line booking system. It is a scam and manipulated by Railway mafia. GMR stop BS just log into reservation system yourself. You will learn how it is working. Always seats not available in KKS intercity, KKS express Ella Odyssey. But train is never full. One finds empty seats in every compartment. Stop talking GMR get it corrected, if you have guts to do it.

0 0

Viraj Thursday, 26 December 2024 03:28 PM

Nothing will change.

0 0

Powder for beggars Thursday, 26 December 2024 03:33 PM

Powder for beggars

0 0

martin Thursday, 26 December 2024 04:29 PM

Please narrow the gap between platform and train so a person will not fall into the tracks trying to get on the train. In some stations the gap is at least 1 feet long. They need to be uniform across all stations.

0 0

Nihal S Thursday, 26 December 2024 04:58 PM

The railway service needs big improvement. Last year I travelled to Polonnaruwa by train, it was in very poor condition. One of my friends who travelled with me said he will never use the train service in Sri Lanka again.

0 0

mahinda Thursday, 26 December 2024 08:41 PM

All above first, appreciate if you arrange Washrooms/ Toilets in stations. secondly teach railway employees, that passengers are not their slavers.

0 0

Devendra William Thursday, 26 December 2024 08:42 PM

Sri Lanka Railway should be reorganised, especially the online booking system. When I tried to book a first or second class seat on 23rd December on Yarl Devi train to Vavuniya it was revealed no seats available. But to see a second class compartment (Reserved) was going empty until it reached Jaffna. I went standing up to Vavuniya in a normal 2nd class compartment which was jam packed until Anuradhapura. I presume there is some thing wrong with the online booking system. And also the Station masters should be mindful to provide last minute bookings if the seats are available. Most of the Station Masters are very rude and not prepared to help the passengers. Digital Time table at Fort Station is out of order most of the days of the week. GMR over to you.

0 0

Devendra William Thursday, 26 December 2024 08:42 PM

Sri Lanka Railway should be reorganised, especially the online booking system. When I tried to book a first or second class seat on 23rd December on Yarl Devi train to Vavuniya it was revealed no seats available. But to see a second class compartment (Reserved) was going empty until it reached Jaffna. I went standing up to Vavuniya in a normal 2nd class compartment which was jam packed until Anuradhapura. I presume there is some thing wrong with the online booking system. And also the Station masters should be mindful to provide last minute bookings if the seats are available. Most of the Station Masters are very rude and not prepared to help the passengers. Digital Time table at Fort Station is out of order most of the days of the week. GMR over to you.

0 0

Devendra William Thursday, 26 December 2024 08:42 PM

Sri Lanka Railway should be reorganised, especially the online booking system. When I tried to book a first or second class seat on 23rd December on Yarl Devi train to Vavuniya it was revealed no seats available. But to see a second class compartment (Reserved) was going empty until it reached Jaffna. I went standing up to Vavuniya in a normal 2nd class compartment which was jam packed until Anuradhapura. I presume there is some thing wrong with the online booking system. And also the Station masters should be mindful to provide last minute bookings if the seats are available. Most of the Station Masters are very rude and not prepared to help the passengers. Digital Time table at Fort Station is out of order most of the days of the week. GMR over to you.

0 0

Dev William Thursday, 26 December 2024 08:55 PM

Before 2005 there were 6 trains running daily and 7 trains during week ends to Jaffna. Now only one train daily and two trains during week end. Is this enough with the increase of population and travellers 3 fold. The only train Yarl Devi is fully packed. The Intercity runs during week end is fully booked a month ahead. Mr. GMR it is high time to increase the number of trains to Jaffna. The Railway Department gets the highest revenue from the Northern Line.

0 0

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