Raids on upcountry trains net Rs 15,000

Raids on trains operating from Rambukkana to Matale:

Irangika RANGE

Sri Lanka Railways Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested 30 people travelling without tickets and other offences and fined Rs15,000 during a special raid on the upcountry railway line on September 15 and 16.

RPF Sub Inspector W S Jayasekara told the Daily News that two teams comprising 14 officers conducted raids in 16 trains operating on the up country line from Rambukkana to Matale covering all railway stations between these two destinations day and night.

The offences included travelling without tickets, travelling in second class using a third class ticket, travelling beyond the destination mentioned in the ticket, trading and begging.

One passenger who failed to pay the penalty was produced before Courts by Nawalapitiya Police and jailed for one month. "Special checks will also be conducted in addition to routine checks that are carried out during the rush season," Jayasekera said.

The RPF carries out checks inside trains and at the platforms.

The officials who participated in the raid comprised R Padmathileke, K. Dissanayake, W. P. Mihira and J. Priyadarshana.