Sri Lanka's railway sector is facing mounting scrutiny after up-country train services were reportedly resumed without obtaining the necessary approval from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), according to the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association (SLRSMU). The union has raised serious safety concerns, warning that operating trains along routes that have not received official clearance could put the lives of passengers and railway staff at significant risk.
What the Railway Union Is Saying
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association (SLRSMU) has taken a firm stance against the decision to resume train operations on up-country routes without first securing NBRO approval. Union representatives have stressed that the NBRO's assessment is not a bureaucratic formality — it is a critical safety evaluation designed to determine whether railway lines, embankments, and surrounding terrain are structurally sound enough to support active train services.
According to the union, resuming services prematurely — particularly along routes that pass through landslide-prone and geologically sensitive areas — is an unacceptable gamble with human lives. The SLRSMU has called on railway authorities and the relevant government ministries to immediately halt services until proper clearance is obtained and all safety protocols are fully satisfied.
The Role of the NBRO in Railway Safety
The National Building Research Organisation plays a pivotal role in assessing geological and structural risks across Sri Lanka, particularly in the island's central highlands. Up-country railway lines traverse some of the most challenging terrain in the country, cutting through steep slopes, dense vegetation, and areas historically susceptible to landslides and soil erosion.
Before train services can safely operate along these routes — especially following periods of heavy rainfall, natural disasters, or prolonged service suspension — the NBRO is tasked with conducting thorough inspections and issuing formal approval. This process ensures that the ground conditions, retaining structures, and track foundations meet the minimum safety requirements needed to support locomotive operations.
Bypassing this process, critics argue, is not only irresponsible but potentially unlawful. The SLRSMU's concerns reflect a broader anxiety within the railway community that operational pressures and public demand are being prioritised over the fundamental duty of care owed to passengers and workers alike.
Safety Risks Along Up-Country Routes
Sri Lanka's up-country rail network is among the most scenic in Asia, connecting Colombo to destinations such as Kandy, Nanu Oya, and Badulla. However, the very landscape that makes these journeys visually spectacular also makes them inherently risky. The central highlands receive some of the highest rainfall in the country, and the region has a well-documented history of landslides that have, on several occasions, disrupted rail infrastructure and posed dangers to passing trains.
In recent years, climate-related events have intensified these risks. Unpredictable weather patterns, heavier monsoon seasons, and shifting soil conditions have made geological assessments more important than ever. Railway staff who operate along these lines are acutely aware of the dangers, and the SLRSMU's alarm reflects the ground-level reality that workers face every time a train departs without proper safety verification.
Public and Passenger Concerns
For the thousands of commuters, tourists, and goods transporters who rely on up-country train services daily, the news of resumed operations without NBRO approval is deeply unsettling. Passengers travelling through mountainous terrain trust that the railway authority has taken every precaution to ensure their journey is safe. When that trust is undermined by procedural shortcuts, it not only endangers lives but also erodes public confidence in Sri Lanka's railway system as a whole.
Civil society groups and passenger advocacy organisations are expected to echo the SLRSMU's calls for transparency and accountability. Many are demanding that railway authorities publicly disclose the current safety status of up-country routes and provide a clear timeline for obtaining NBRO certification before services continue.
Calls for Immediate Government Action
The SLRSMU has urged the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Railways to intervene without delay. The union insists that no operational or economic justification can outweigh the moral and legal obligation to protect human life. Railway workers, who are often the first to witness dangerous track conditions, must be empowered to raise safety concerns without fear of reprisal or pressure to maintain schedules at any cost.
Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive public response addressing the union's specific allegations regarding NBRO approval. Stakeholders are calling for an urgent review, an independent safety audit, and a commitment that services will only resume once all regulatory requirements have been formally met.
Conclusion
The resumption of up-country train services without NBRO approval has cast a serious shadow over Sri Lanka's railway administration. As the SLRSMU continues to sound the alarm, the incident serves as a stark reminder that safety compliance must never be treated as optional — particularly when lives are on the line. Transparent governance, rigorous safety protocols, and respect for regulatory frameworks are essential to maintaining a railway network that passengers can trust.