An official investigation has been initiated in response to an incident at the Nawalapitiya railway station, where two foreign tourists were reportedly assaulted by two railway employees.
Two British nationals, who were traveling on the Podi Manike train from Colombo to Badulla, found themselves embroiled in an ugly incident.
Their journey commenced at the Kandy railway station.
Upon investigation, Railway Superintendent N.M.J. Idipola revealed that the duo had been removed from the train, citing that despite holding third-class tickets, they had occupied seats in the first-class compartment.
Sumeda Somaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Railways Station Master’s Association, confirmed that a railway guard had instructed the foreign passengers to disembark.
Despite these instructions, the two foreigners had refused to vacate the train compartment, and Sumeda Somaratne noted as a result they were removed from the train.
The Nawalapitiya Police indicated that no possibility of arresting foreigners exists in this context.
Meanwhile, H. M. K. Bandara, the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways, has directed the railway security department to conduct an investigation and submit a comprehensive report regarding this incident.