Railways General Manager J.I.D. Jayasundara has expressed his outrage and embarrassment over a video circulating on social media showing foreign tourists receiving massages from local individuals on a train in Sri Lanka. Addressing the media at a press conference, he labeled the incident as “very shameful” and an affront to Sri Lankan values.
“As a Sri Lankan and an employee of the Railways Department, I find this incident deeply insulting,” Jayasundara remarked. He clarified that, based on initial reports, the incident occurred not on a regular passenger train operated by Sri Lanka Railways but on a special train chartered by a private tourism company.
The Railways General Manager assured the public that immediate action is being taken. “We are treating this matter with utmost seriousness. Relevant authorities have been informed to conduct a thorough investigation. Additionally, the Tourist Police will be involved,” he added.
Jayasundara highlighted the need for stronger preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. He announced that the Railways Department is working to identify the responsible parties and ensure accountability. “We will recover financial losses incurred from the individuals involved and pursue additional legal action if necessary,” he stated.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the standards of professionalism and decorum maintained during such privately operated train journeys. Jayasundara emphasized that Sri Lanka Railways will implement stricter oversight for private tourism operators using railway services to ensure that such events do not tarnish the country’s image again.
