The Lokomotiv Railway Engineers Association has warned that train drivers will withdraw from night train services in areas where wild elephants are frequently seen if any injustice is done to them during the ongoing investigations into the recent death of elephants in the Galoya area.
Association President K.U. Konthasinghe, speaking at a media briefing, strongly condemned the accusations made against train drivers by environmentalists. He stated that these allegations were being made without a proper investigation into the actual circumstances of the incident.
He emphasized that the primary reason for the accident was the inability to see the elephants on the railway tracks from a safe distance, making it impossible for train drivers to stop in time. He also criticized the authorities for failing to implement effective measures to prevent such accidents and provide a fair solution following the elephant deaths.
The union reiterated that unless a just resolution is reached, railway workers will refuse to operate night train services in areas where elephants are commonly found on the tracks.
