A tragic train collision that killed seven wild elephants in the Gal Oya area on February 20 has reignited concerns over railway safety and conservation efforts.
The Wildlife Conservation Society alleges that the driver of the ‘Meenagaya’ train which was involved in a tragic train collision that killed seven wild elephants in the Gal Oya area on February 20 was a 67-year-old whose certification from the Public Service Commission as a train driver had expired on January 15.
The Secretary of the Wildlife Conservation Society Nayanaka Ranwella said that despite lacking proper authorization, the driver was allegedly permitted to operate the train under the directive of a superior officer.
“The driver who was at the controls did not have a valid recommendation from the Public Service Commission. His authorization period ended over a month ago. We believe that at least 19 train drivers in the Railway Department are in a similar situation. The responsible officials, including Minister Bimal Ratnayake, must immediately look into this issue”, Ranwella stated.
The incident has once again highlighted the longstanding problem of wild elephants being struck by trains, an issue that authorities have yet to resolve effectively. Conservationists and railway unions have repeatedly urged for improved safety measures.
Indika Dodangoda, convener of the Trade Union Alliance for the Development of Railways, emphasized the urgent need for a reliable communication system to prevent such collisions.
“The equipment installed in train engines to detect elephants is either malfunctioning or entirely non-functional, despite full payments being made to the relevant companies. Furthermore, an adequate number of devices were never purchased for installation across the railway network, even though the project has already cost $17 million”, Dodangoda explained.
Dodangoda stressed the necessity of an integrated warning system, stating, “A communication mechanism should be in place to send alerts about elephant movements near railway tracks. Without such technology, these tragedies will continue.”
(adaderana.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
Minister of Justice and National Integration – Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara has stated that the recent local government (LG) election results clearly delivered a public message : the need to swiftly implement real change instead of mere flaunts.
He stated that the government has understood the message of the public.
According to him, of the 267 LG bodies contested by the NPP, they secured a clear majority in 120, while 32 councils are tied where establishing power still remains possible.
Noting that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) previously held power in 126 local bodies, with 28 tied, the minister points out that the NPP has achieved the largest victory in history.
Five military personnel have been confirmed dead in the crash of a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter into the Maduru Oya Reservoir earlier this morning (May 09. According to the SLAF Spokesperson Group Captain Eranda Geeganage, the deceased include three members of the Sri Lanka Army’s Special Forces and two Air Force personnel.
The aircraft was carrying a total of 12 individuals, including six Army Special Forces members, two Air Force Regiment Special Forces personnel, two other Air Force members, and two pilots.
Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.
At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
