Oct 07, Colombo: Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Transport Rohana Dissanayaka said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has allocated Rs. one billion to install gates at the unguarded level crossings countrywide.

The Deputy Minister said the President made this allocation considering the rise in number of deaths due to the accidents at the unguarded level crossings.

He pointed out that 82 accidents were reported in 2011 at the unguarded level crossings, 66 and 75 accidents were reported in 2009 and 2010 respectively showing a rapid increase in the number of accidents.

Sri Lanka Railways will install 230 gates with the funds and another 100 gates will be installed with the funds from the Department.

The priority will be given to install gates along the Southern coastal line due to the high speed of trains on the track following its recent modernization.

Sri Lanka has 1,127 level crossings and 626 of them are unguarded.