Sri Lankan Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena, along with senior railway officials, expressed their condolences over the unfortunate demise of a young man who was forced to travel on the roof of an overcrowded train today (12). This situation arose as a result of a train strike initiated by train drivers.
The victim, an engineering student from Moratuwa University, lost his life in this tragic incident. He has been identified as W.W.I.D, a resident of Gampaha Moragoda.
Prior to the commencement of the weekly Cabinet press conference in Colombo, Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena and senior railway officials conveyed their sorrow regarding the young man’s passing.
Minister Gunawardena, while attending the press conference to announce the cabinet decisions, held the striking railway workers accountable for the untimely death of the student.
Reports indicate that the university student, who was traveling on the roof of the morning train from Kandy to Colombo, tragically lost his life after colliding with the upper platform of Horape railway station earlier in the day.
The strike, initiated by the Sri Lanka Locomotive Operating Engineers Association, led to the cancellation of at least 20 train services, resulting in increased passenger traffic aboard the running trains.
