Sri Lanka It's Happening

June 6, 2005

There is a news report about a couple on their way to pick up their son from school being killed by a train. In other countries that minister of transport and the head of the railway department would have immidiately resigned. But this is sri lanka.

There have been seven previous accidents at the same 'level crossing'

The news report quotes the head of the railway department:

"Many pedestrians and drivers are in too much of a hurry to get across and ignore the warning signs displayed by the Railway". The sign usually says there is crossing up ahead, it doesn't say "police line don't cross".

The news report also says "The General Manger cited lack of funds as the main reason why the railway could not put up protective barriers at more crossing". He didn't explain why there is a lack of funds. The finance minister did: According to him the railway is one of the five most corrupt ogranizations in the country. It's grossly overstaffed too.

The railway chief further states: "He said the installation of barriers for a double track crossing would cost three million ruppees". Three million rupees (USD 30,0000) for a couple of ball bearings, a piece of cut up railway track and long wooden pole? The railway is far more corrupt than the finance minister imagined. In other countries you could probably lay a kilometer of rail for that much or divert the road.

Posted by raditha at June 6, 2005 3:38 AM