Operation to curb commuter offences

Irangika Range

The Sri Lanka Railway Protection Force (RPF) would intensify raids in trains with effect from tomorrow to nab ticketless commuters.

RPF Sub Inspector W S Jayasekara told the Daily News that special investigating teams attached to the RPF will be deployed to conduct surprise raids in express and slow trains operating to all destinations to arrest people travelling without tickets and committing other offences.

He further said RPF teams are expected to board Colombo bound long distance and short distance trains operating from all directions for a whole week.

‘According to our previous experience, the major offence was travelling without tickets, he said.

The other offences include travelling in second class using a third class ticket, travelling beyond the destination mentioned in the ticket, trading and begging. Meanwhile, the RPF is expected to carry out divisional level raids in the future, according to progress of this programme.

Sudden raids will be further conducted in addition to routine checks thereby helping increase railway revenue, Jayasekera said.