Station Masters’ union demands reinstatement of officers suspended for allegedly assaulting two foreigners

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Railway Station Masters’ Union President Sumedha Somaratne on Wednesday demanded that the railway Department reinstate its officials suspended for allegedly assaulting two Englishmen who travelled on the train without rickets.

Somaratne said the railway employees had not assaulted the foreigners.

“Those foreigners have been travelling in a First Class compartment without even obtaining tickets. Railway employees asked them to leave. Given that they did not respond to polite requests, railway employees had to use minimum force to remove them from the compartment,” he said.

Somaratne said the railway security should have removed the foreigners, but they had not taken any action. Two Class 2 Station Masters and a railway guard had to step in.

“There was enough footage on social media. There is no footage of any assault. We will take legal action against the person who released the video with a misleading caption on Thursday,” Somaratne said, adding that a large number of people were travelling in the train to Badulla and they have requested the government several times to increase the number of trains.

“We have nothing against disciplinary inquiries. Please conduct a proper investigation and see if railway employees assaulted the foreigners. The department must not suspend workers for carrying out their duties,” he said.