Sri Lanka Railways has revealed that it payed more than Rs. 5 billion as overtime to its staff last year (2024), locomotive operators accounted for over Rs. 200 million.
Locomotive operators received only Rs. 61 million in overtime in 2023. The engine drivers have refused to use biometric attendance marking machines, the Railway Department says.
Despite the massive overtime bill, commuters complain that the Railways has failed to provide an efficient service.
The figures were disclosed by Sri Lanka Railways in response to a Right to Information request.
by Lalith Chaminda 