Train Drivers Halt Coastal Line Services Over Signal Safety Fears

COLOMBO (News 1st);Train drivers operating on Sri Lanka’s Coastal Line have decided to withdraw from service starting at 12 noon today, citing unresolved issues with the railway signaling system between Panadura and Moratuwa.

Chandana Wiyanduwa, General Secretary of the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union, stated that the decision was made due to the failure to rectify a critical fault in the signal system, which poses a serious safety risk.

The issue came to light after a rail track near Moratuwa-Modara was damaged, forcing the Sagarika train to halt at the location and prompting a temporary closure of the line.

Despite the disruption, another train traveling from Panadura to Colombo Fort was mistakenly shown a green signal—indicating a clear track—due to the faulty system. A potential disaster was narrowly avoided thanks to the alertness and quick judgment of the train driver, who stopped the train in time.