Employee’s death could have been averted - Coroner

Jayantha de Silva

An employee of the Ragama Medical Faculty who was injured as a result of falling from a moving train was virtually exhibited on the Kelaniya Station platform for half an hour in a state of shock and bleeding profusely while crying in pain and “death could have been averted, if he was rushed to the hospital” observed City Coroner Edward Ahangama who conducted the inquest on Saturday .

The Coroner expressed his outrage at the Kelaniya Station authorities for their lethargic attitude. The deceased has been identified as Pahaidera Devage Sarath Jaywardana (58), a resident of Wanawasala in Kelaniya.

Giving evidence at the inquest, witness Dharmapriya, a cashier of the Ragama Medical Faculty said the victim had fallen from the Kelaniya - Maradana train at around 6.45 pm while he was surprised that until 7.15 PM, the man who was bleeding profusely still remained on the platform with people standing around him. However, the station authorities remained inactive and took no measures to rush him to hospital even in a train, which could have been possible as several trains were moving in and out of the station. Ultimately, the witness rushed him in a three wheeler to the National Hospital where he died on admission.

The postmortem conducted by Specialist JMO Rahul Haq revealed the cause of death as due to cranio cerebral injuries. PS Herath assisted by Pathirana led evidence. The verdict was postponed until eye witnesses were summoned.