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Engine of ill-fated train deployed again

by Ranil Wijayapala

The three member committee appointed to probe the Rambukkana train tragedy expressed surprise yesterday after learning that the engine of the ill-fated train has been deployed again even before the committee began sittings.

The committee headed by retired Appeal Court Judge O.W.O.B. Weerasena directed the General Manager of Railways Priyal de Silva to keep the engine under the custody of a responsible officer until the committee takes a final decision.

The committee appointed by Transport Highways and Civil Aviation Minister Tilak Marapone started their sittings yesterday at the Transport Ministry. The committee also includes Prof. W.M. Karunadasa and Dr. T.A. Piyasiri of the Moratuwa University.

Questions on the engine of the train arose when the Chairman of the committee inquired about the engine from the Secretary of the committee when sittings began yesterday at the Transport Ministry.

The committee also directed that the GMR should take the responsibility for any change or interference in making changes in the engine.

The committee directed that if any repair had been done in the engine, the parts removed from the engine should be sealed and kept under the custody of a Police officer holding the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police or higher.

The Police officer should also keep notes when they accept the removed parts of the engine. The committee also decided to summon all persons connected to the repair of the engine as witnesses.

The committee also pointed out that inspection of the engine of the ill-fated train is an important part of their investigations. Special inquiry should be done if the engine is deployed for operations.

The committee will also give a decision regarding the person who decided to deploy the engine for operations after a separate inquiry. The three member committee also unanimously decided to convene outside witnesses and independent observers to conduct this inquiry as an independent one.

The committee on a proposal by Prof. Karunadasa also decided to seek technological assistance from India and Pakistan when conducting investigations. Assistance will be sought from the SAARC Technical Committee to take their consultations free of charge.

Experts from other countries will also be summoned if necessary.

The committee is due to visit the site of the accident at Kirivellapitiya on January 22. The committee of inquiry will investigate and report on the cause for the derailment, the persons responsible for the derailment and the extent of their culpabilities and the recommendations to prevent of an occurrence of such incident in the future.

The committee is asked to forward its report within 30 days.

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