Factseeker
  • English
  • සිංහල
  • தமிழ்
  • Fact Checked
    • All
    • Economy
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Politics
    • Health
  • Methodology
  • About Us
  • Explore Fact-Checking
  • Contact Us
  • #misleading

Did a driver stop the train in the middle of the road to go buy a food packet?

Misleading
Misleading

FactSeeker confirms that the story of a driver stopping the train in the middle of the road to go buy a parcel of food is false.

by Anonymous |

August 14, 2024

A video was circulating on Facebook and YouTube indicating a train driver had stopped the train that was running to go buy food from a nearby shop. 

The video was shared with the caption, “Train driver in Sri Lanka who stopped in the middle of the road and went to eat – same for everyone.”

Factseeker investigated the veracity of this, and it was found that it was near the Waikkala railway station.

During the investigation of the incident, it was possible to clarify the matter from Waikkala Railway Station through the Railway Station master’s Union. Accordingly, they said that this video is a video of the driver taking food from a nearby shop when the train was stopped at Waikkala railway station, and this happens frequently.

However, the video suggests that the train had started running at the time.  FactSeeker contacted the Acting General Manager of Railways, S.S Mudalige, when contacted he said that the Waikkala railway station is a very small railway station, and its engine should be pulled up to the corner of the main road when the train stops.

It takes some time for the passengers to get down and board the train, and the driver bought a parcel of food from a nearby shop at that time, he added. He further said that it is very sad that the scene of an innocent man buying a rice packet has become something to discuss so much.

A passenger traveling on the Puttalam railway line was contacted who as well is named Chandana Perera said, “On the morning and evening road, we as passengers often see what happens at Waikkala station. And this is a misunderstanding. Without properly knowing something people post things on Facebook. That’s wrong.” 

However, with the help of Google Map and Google Street View, it was found that the distance between the railway station and the main road was very low.

Thus, FactSeeker confirms that the story of a driver stopping the train in the middle of the road to go buy a parcel of food is false.  

 

Latest updates

#misleading

Old Videos Mislead Public After Kamchatka Earthquake

July 30, 2025

#fake

UNP hasn’t written a letter against Deshabandu Tennakoon’s decision.

July 29, 2025

#misleading

The video being shared is not of the baby left in a field in Mawathagama.

July 23, 2025

explainer

The true story about the frog with eyes in its mouth

July 22, 2025

Related Content

Old Videos Mislead Public After Kamchatka Earthquake

July 30, 2025

The video being shared is not of the baby left in a field in Mawathagama.

July 23, 2025

Child in Middeniya did not die due to a rambutan seed stuck in the throat

July 14, 2025

Is the Provincial Commissioner legally empowered to act at their own discretion?

June 20, 2025

Old videos falsely shared as Ahmedabad plane crash

June 13, 2025

Reliable

Verified News.

Delivered to You.

We are an independent fact-checking team affiliated with the Sri Lanka Press Institute(SLPI).

The objective and long-term goal of the FactSeeker is to provide the public with reliable and verified content in the attempt of debunking mis/disinformation. The unit, with the SLPI, is committed to contributing to improved media literacy in Sri Lanka.

Quick Links

Home

Fact-checked

Methodology

About us

Explore fact checking

Publications

Contact us

View Contact

Topics

Fact-checked

Politics

Health

Society

Environtment

Economy

Follow Us

Copyright 2025 © FactSeeker-Sri Lanka Press Institute. All Rights Reserved. Design & Developed by Enfection