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| Saturday, 28 September 2002 |
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by Rajmi Manatunga The Railway Department will implement a special insurance scheme for passengers who meet with rail accidents. Under this scheme, the department in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) will compensate passengers killed or injured while travelling by train. Assistant Commercial Superintendent of Railways E.A.D.A Weerasekara said a discussion will be held this week with SLIC before the scheme is implemented. "The insurance scheme has already received Cabinet approval. The project seeks to ensure the safety of passengers and compensate them in case of injury during train journeys," Weerasekara said. The family of a person killed in a train accident is entitled to Rs. 100,000 compensation. Compensation for the injured vary from Rs. 500 to Rs. 100,000 depending on the nature of injury. One cannot claim compensation for accidents that take place while travelling ticketless, at railway crossings and accidents due to callousness like travelling on the footboard or on the roof of the train. The deceased or the injured is also disqualified for the insurance if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident or is over 75 years. The death should also be proven by reports from the railway authorities and medical reports. It is the first time after the implementation of the Railway Ordinance in 1907 that an insurance scheme will be introduced for passengers, Weerasekara said. An insurance scheme for parcels already exists. "Once the scheme is set up there will be no need for the Department and the passengers to seek Cabinet approval for each and every train accident," he said. The insurance scheme covers train accidents due to acts of terrorism as well. The scheme already operates at Rambukkana and Kollupitiya railway stations. |
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