Reselling of train ticket Sri Lanka Railways lodge complaint with CID

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has lodged a complaint with the CID on the reported attempt to sell a train ticket of the Mt. Lavinia - Badulla super luxury train ‘Ella Odyssey’ purchased online for Rs. 30,000 and an inquiry is in progress, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said. He told a news briefing that there was an inconsistency in the incident highlighted by the media. 

“We have no clear evidence to prove this. But it is up to the CID to conduct an inquiry and see whether there was any truth in the alleged transaction,” Minister Dr. Gunawardana said. 
Responding to Daily Mirror, Minister Dr. Gunawardana lamented that the Public Service Commission (PSC) was still to give the approval to re-employ about 30 engine drivers who went on retirement recently to fill the vacancies of engine drivers. 

“The main reason for the cancellation of train journeys in recent times is the severe shortage of engine drivers as a large number of them retired at the end of last year on completion of 60 years of age. 

The SLR has requested the PSC to give approval to recruit essential cadres on a contract basis, but it is not happening.

 
That’s why train delays and cancellations of journeys,” he said. 

Minister Dr. Gunawardana added that the SLR recruited about 20,000 minor staff and another 30,000 are to be recruited for other services. 

The cabinet will be educated on the delay by the PSC to recruit retired engine drivers to fill the remaining vacancies shortly.