The Railway Department has identified a key suspect in connection with a train ticket scam, following suspicions raised over the rapid sale of tickets for a train bound for Ella. Reports indicate that all tickets for the journey were sold out within an unprecedented 42 seconds, prompting an investigation.
The main suspect is an officer employed at the Makumbura Railway Station. Investigators revealed that the officer had established a private company under a relative’s name to facilitate the online booking of train tickets. Using this company, he allegedly secured all available tickets for personal profit.
The officer is accused of reselling the tickets at exorbitant prices through the company linked to him. Notably, tickets originally priced at Rs. 1,200 were reportedly sold to foreign nationals for as much as Rs. 16,000 each.
Following the discovery of this fraudulent operation, the officer’s service has been suspended.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Prasanna Gunasena, played a pivotal role in exposing this scam, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to curbing corruption within the transport sector.
