Passengers, ticket examiners clash at Fort station

Ishara Mudugamuwa

A tense situation arose at the Colombo Fort Railway Station yesterday when a group of Passenger Ticket Examiners carried a sudden inspection in the Second Class compartments of the Samudradevi Office Train with information that some passengers were traveling on Second Class compartments with third class passenger tickets.

It was alleged that passengers had exchanged blows with the Ticket Examiners, resisting the inspection.

When the Daily News contacted Sri Lanka Railway Security Superintendent J.M.N.S.Jayasena, he confirmed the incident and explained Samudradevi a daily office passenger train runs on the Coastal line, from Galle to Maradana in the morning and evening.

Earlier, the Samudradevi train had only third class apartments. But, a train with second class apartments were added to it and after the renovation of the southern coastal railway line." he said.

He also said a large number of complains were received from second class passengers of Samudradevi that they have to face difficulties due to third class passengers travelling in second class apartments.

The ticket examiners carried out a raid and arrested some passengers who travelled in second class apartments with third class tickets. Then, some other passengers created a rumpus by interfering with the duty of the Ticket Examiners' " said Jayasena. The passengers arrested for violent behavior will be produced before courts by the Police.