Sri Lanka bans railway employees from using social media during working hours

Sri Lanka Railways has issued a special circular banning employees from using social media during working hours and from publishing sensitive information related to railway operations.

Under the directive, railway employees have been instructed not to use social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok, while on duty.

The Department of Railways said the circular was issued after it observed that some officials had been publishing sensitive information related to railway operations on social media during working hours.

The new directive also prohibits officers and employees from releasing information about railway operations, internal decisions or official documents on social media from railway control rooms, locomotive control rooms, workshops or any other railway premises.

The Department said the measures are intended to help ensure the safety and efficiency of railway services and maintain the quality of service provided to passengers. The decision also takes into account the risks that could arise when employees are distracted by social media while carrying out their duties.

Under the circular, only the General Manager of Railways, the official Railway Media Spokesperson and the Information Officer are authorized to provide official information from the Department of Railways to external parties or the media.