Railway Department grapples with locomotive driver shortage

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka Railway Department is facing a shortage of 180 locomotive drivers.

Railway General Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara said to address this shortfall and maintain passenger services, the department has begun recruiting retired drivers.

They have been assigned to passenger services.

So far, 37 retired locomotive drivers have returned to service.

General Manager Bandara also said that efforts are underway to recruit new drivers for the long term.

He highlighted that the lack of locomotive drivers has hindered the operation of railway operations.