Warning: No digging on railway property

The Sri Lanka Railways has warned the public and certain local government bodies that it is illegal to make any excavations or digging within the Railway property that is at least two metres on either side of the railway track.

Heavy damage has been caused to the Railway signal system cables laid along the railway track due to private parties and local government bodies cutting trenches and openings to drain out rainwater.

These cables are laid alongside the rail track within two metres of the railway line on railway property and any excavation of the railway property is illegal, Sri Lanka Railways General Manager P.P. Wijesekara said in a press release.

The railway service has been affected following the damage to the signal cables with these illegal excavations, sometimes done with backhoes and other equipment.

The public and local government authorities are warned not to do any excavation or digging within the railway property without Sri Lanka Railways permisson.

Legal action will be taken against individuals or organizations who cause damage to railway property under Article 31 of the Railway Ordinance, the GMR warned.