Beggary in trains!

Begging in metropolitan trains has increased much to the annoyance of the passengers, particularly in the fully packed Colombo bound trains in the morning. Passengers said the beggars dressed in dirty clothes squeeze themselves into the crowded trains without least concern about its inconvenience to the passengers. They pointed out that the beggars considered their dirty rags a uniform for their profession and to travel without ticket.

A news report only last week said that an individual had turned a billionaire by begging in trains for the last 25 years and built three houses and had millions in his bank accounts.

A news report only last week said that an individual had turned a billionaire by begging in trains for the last 25 years and built three houses and had millions in his bank accounts

The 10.45 a.m. power set train leaving Kalutara is fully packed with Chinese passengers and the beggars make it a rich source of making a fast buck.. They prevail on the Chinese until they receive some money and if they are not satisfied, they would ask for more while the Sri Lankan passengers ashamed of the disrepute to the country looks on shivering in their boots. Sri Lankan passengers pointed out that the Railway Security Service should carry out constant raids on trains to prevent beggary.

One of the beggars carrying his wife on his back, claiming that she is handicapped and unable to walk, boards trains packed to their capacity and creeps through the crowd. It is surprising why he could not work even as a manual worker and maintain his wife if he is strong enough and healthy to carry his wife on his back.

A young man swallowing swords is a cynosure of the crowd, but many passengers keep their eyes shut or glance through the window to avoid the gruesome scene. They said the individuals may be playing a trick and not actually swallowing the swords, but the children who noticed it could experiment it by swallowing knives or anything they found in place of swords.

The passengers requested the Railway Security Service, the officers in railway stations and the guards to prevent beggars from boarding trains.