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.