The government has proposed a short-term measure to alleviate danger at unprotected level crossings by proposing that a Samurdhi beneficiary is deployed as gatekeeper and paid a monthly stipend.

At present gatekeepers are deployed by the Police Department and are paid a monthly allowance of Rs. 7,500/- but as the allowance is insufficient, a considerable number of gatekeepers have abandoned their posts.

While the government intends to have protection at every level crossing, as a short-term measure, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva proposed a member of a Samurdhi beneficiary families is deployed as gatekeeper and paid a monthly allowance of Rs. 22, 500.

The proposals garnered the approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.