Mar 14, Colombo: In order to maintain the essential services in the island properly and to maintain the normal life of the people, the Railway Department has taken necessary and urgent steps to maintain the train service continuously, President’s Media Division said.

Accordingly, two trains from Avissawella to Colombo at 5.00 am and 5.45 am, and two trains from Chilaw to Colombo at 4.50 am and 5.50 am are planned to run tomorrow morning for office and passenger transport.

Two trains from Rambukkana at 5.25 am and 5.57 am, from Ganevatte at 3.55 am, from Maho at 4.45 am and from Kandy at 5.00 am are scheduled to run to Colombo.

On the Coastal Line, trains from Beliatta at 4.15 am, from Galle at 5.00 am, from Aluthgama at 6.00 am and from South Kalutara to Colombo at 7.00 am are scheduled to run.

The Railway Department says all these trains are equipped with dual power sets.

The Sri Lanka Police will take the maximum necessary measures to maintain public order and prevent disruptions in the island ensuring the safety of the railway department officials and passengers.

Accordingly, Inspector General of Police C. D. Wickramaratne has given orders to the officers in charge of the police division to provide adequate security to cover every station within their divisional jurisdiction and deploy teams of officers with a responsible inspector grade officer to the main stations.

Furthermore, the IGP has ordered to implement suitable arrangements for the safety of railway employees reporting for duty, while on duty and off duty and to implement suitable security arrangements to prevent stone pelting at trains or other acts of sabotage to interfere with the running of the trains.

This program will be implemented covering all areas of the island from midnight today (March 14).