Railway staff, engine shortages halt extra trains during festive season

Colombo, November 23 (Daily Mirror) - Due to a shortage of railway staff and train engines, the Railways Department is unable to operate extra train services during the festive season, according to the department.

Deputy General Manager of Railways N.J. Indipolage said the department had planned to add several train services to Badulla, Jaffna and Kankesanthurai (KKS) soon after the start of the school vacation, following requests from commuters.

However, the department is facing a shortage of train engines, railway guards, engine drivers and crew. As a result, it is unable to operate extra train services during the festive season.

Despite this, a special train has been assigned to operate on the night of December 24 from Colombo Fort to Badulla, and another special train will operate from Badulla to Colombo Fort. Additionally, another special train will operate to Badulla on December 28 and 29.

The Colombo-Jaffna train will operate seven days a week and additional compartments have been added to the Yal Devi express train.