The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association has warned that the rapid decline in the number of locomotives and power sets available to the Department of Railways could lead to a serious crisis in maintaining train services in the near future.
The Association's Secretary, Kasun Chamara, said the authorities must intervene urgently to ensure that train services continue to operate according to the published timetable.
He pointed out that the locomotive fleet has declined from 106 in 2023 to 98, with eight locomotives having been withdrawn from service.
Mr Chamara said that although 74 locomotives were required to operate nearly 450 scheduled train services in 2023, only 68 were in a serviceable condition at the time. He added that the number has now fallen even further.
According to him, only 49 locomotives are currently fit for operation.
Meanwhile, he noted that the number of power sets in the fleet has fallen from 109 in 2023 to 106, with three power sets having been withdrawn from service. He added that 88 power sets are required to maintain railway operations.
However, the Railway Station Masters' Association pointed out that the number of operational power sets has dropped from 78 in 2023 to just 52 at present, resulting in a shortfall of 26 power sets.
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