Take prompt action to install railway gates - President
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday directed the Sri Lanka Railway
authorities to take prompt action to initiate a security system to
install railway gates to prevent accidents at railway crossings.
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A vehicle
approaching an unprotected railway crossing. |
The President had summoned a special meeting at Temple Trees
yesterday with all relevant parties to explore all possible methods to
prevent accidents that frequently take place at unsafe railway crossings
around the country. He further directed the Sri Lanka Railway officials
to work with the Police and Civil Defense Committees to implement a
successful methodology with the help of residents living near railway
crossings.
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama pointed out that there are 1,083
railway crossings around the country and only 329 crossings had security
gates.
The other 754 crossings do not have proper security gates. "Around
168 railway crossings are on the coastal belt," he said. The President
directed that reliable and practical methods be followed such as seeking
the help of technicians in these respective regions to prepare gates.
The President also requested that a detailed report on the planning
and designing of railway gates be submitted to him immediately. It was
decided that unsafe railway crossings along the coastline be given
priority when fixing gates.
Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga, Defense Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and officials were also presentwere also present.
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