Wanawasala’s unprotected railway crossing: For whom does the bell toll?
Last Monday two youth were killed at an unprotected level crossing while reportedly crossing the tracks when the signal lights were not functioning, a Coroners court was told.
The victims, Pradeep Samarawickrama (29) from Kelaniya and Sudath Liyanage (34) from Avissawella, were employees of a private tea factory. The Coroner’s court was told they were riding a motorcycle when they were hit by a Colombo-bound train. Giving evidence at the postmortem inquest, witnesses said that the railway signal lights were not functioning at the time.
The two victims died instantly, while nearby residents tried to get a vehicle to take them to hospital. They were not the first victims at this busy crossing at Wanawasala, which is located in a populated area and does not have a gate, but only signal lights which also do not function at times.
This unprotected level crossing in Wanawasala, Kelaniya, consisting only of signal lights and a bell, continues to claim lives with over five vehicles colliding with trains annually, which otherwise could have been prevented.
Villagers of Wanawasala allege that even though officials concerned were informed regarding this matter, they still failed to repair the devices successfully or fix a gate to avoid the tragic accidents.
Wasantha Perera (40) who lives by the railway line said that the level crossing has remained unprotected for many years.
I have been living in this area for over 20 years now and have witnessed many accidents on this railway track. I have even saved many unsuspecting pedestrians who try to cross the railway line without realising that a train is approaching
Wasantha Perera
“I have been living in this area for over 20 years now and have witnessed many accidents on this railway track. I have even saved many unsuspecting pedestrians who try to cross the railway line without realising that a train is approaching,” Wasantha said.
He added that, even though several complaints were made to the authorities, they turned a deaf ear to them. The officials simply say that the required safety measures have been taken to warn passersby about oncoming trains, but that the people are ignorant and disregard the warnings.
According to Wasantha, at times, the signal lights fail to function. In such situations, a villager would stay to warn motorists as they would have to depend on the bell.
“No one can rely on that bell,” said Sumith Dasanayaka (37). “Sometimes when it rains heavily it rings continuously till someone fixes it. Vehicles with their shutters closed and the radio on, wouldn’t hear it on most occasions.”
Sumith said that many cars have collided with the trains this way with most passengers having a narrow escape, while some weren’t that fortunate. The vilagers have all contributed to saving lives of many, including schoolchildren.
A.G. Kithsiri (51) was one of the villagers who risked his life to help another. “One afternoon, several years ago I was walking by the railway line when I heard a train approaching, and at the same time a lorry tried to cross the tracks. I rushed to where the lorry was, shouting to the driver to stop. I was too late and the train hit the lorry, dragging it a few metres,” he said. Fortunately no lives were lost, but Kithsiri was badly injured. Even though he was given compensation by the lorry driver, Kithsiri couldn’t work again, as before, because the injury was bad.
The lack of a proper warning lights system at the crossing contributes to night time accidents. The villagers complain that at night it is pitch-dark and motorists have to rely on the sound of the bell or the sound of an approaching train.
However, some motorists ignore the ringing bell, thinking that the train is still some distance away.
“They try to cross before the train comes, but if a gate was installed here, they couldn’t try to do that and many lives could be saved,” Wasantha said
However, Railway Planning Director Wijaya Samarasinghe told the Sunday Times that he is yet to receive any complaints from the villagers regarding this matter. He said that if they believe that the level crossing is not safe they should inform the Department.
"We will take necessary steps to prevent further accidents if representations are made," he said.
No one can rely on that bell. Sometimes when it rains heavily it rings continuously till someone fixes it. Vehicles with their shutters closed and the radio on, wouldn’t hear it on most occasions.
Sumith Dissanayake