Office workers who travel by train from Negombo to Fort were in great difficulty in the past, as the office train from Negombo which reaches Ragama at 7.48 am. had only four or six carriages. Therefore it was packed to capacity by the time it reached Ja-ela. Office workers on the platform waiting to catch the train after Ja-ela (mostly women) were unable to board the train and were compelled to take a bus (spending Rs.10.) to Ragama to catch a train to Fort.

The office workers told The Island yesterday that they were very thankful to the Railway Department for replacing the ‘Lagadamdevi’ and the other six carriage power-set with an eight carriage train.

Office workers also requested the Railway Department to keep this train permanently on this line for the benefit of commuters.