The Committee Report on the running of a locomotive sans a driver has been handed over to the Transport Minister.
A locomotive without a driver proceeded a distance of 15 kilometres on the Southern rail track from the Dematagoda Yard to Ratmalana on the 5th of this month at midnight. No damage was caused and no one suffered injuries as the engine operated on this track in the midnight. The engine was brought to a halt due to the dedication of the railway employees. Various sectors expressed different views on the operation of this locomotive without a driver. Some referred to the operation of an engine in this manner on December 5th midnight about one hundred years ago. However, a three member Committee was appointed to inquire into how the locomotive operated without a driver.
The report of this Committee was handed over at the auditorium of the Railways General Manager’s Office to Transport Minister Kumara Welgama today.
Handing over the report to Minister Welgama, Deputy Transport Superintendent A.D.G. Seneviratne said that the shunting driver and the assistant were responsible for the incident.
Mr. Seneviratne mentioned that they were able to uncover the truth in this ordeal. He revealed that the shunting driver and his assistant who were serving at that time are at fault. The Committee decided that the incident happened due their negligence.
Expressing views to the media after the receipt of the inquiry report, Minister Kumara Welgama said that he considered the incident as a mistake and if it was an act of sabotage, Mr. Sumanaratne would not have run behind the engine. However, the Minister said that it was a serious mistake.
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