Death trap rail crossings between Katunayake and Ragama

The general public is at risk due to inherent technical defects in the signal & light warning systems installed on several railway crossings between the Katunayake and Ragama Railway Stations.

Over the years, many lives have been lost due to collisions with trains at these crossings. There were also many motor vehicle accidents which left many people maimed and disabled.

Over the years, many lives have been lost due to collisions with trains at these crossings. There were also many motor vehicle accidents which left many people maimed and disabled

These safety signal lights and sound systems are continuously active even in the absence of a train. As the system is continuously active, drivers who cross the railway tracks often assume that there is no threat of a oncoming train. Therefore, they attempt to cross the track and get knocked down by trains.

When we inquired about this defect from a Railway Maintenance Officer, he said that the fixing of the safety system for the train service was carried out under the Department of Railways at most of the places. However, some railway warning systems have been installed by a private company. He added that it is the responsibility of the private institution to maintain and operate these systems properly. Whatever the cause, if the attention of the railway authorities is not focused on attending to this serious lapse of ineffective security systems, there is a huge likelihood that many more precious human lives will be lost.