Protest in Colombo by Peraliya villagers

The authorities should not get away from their responsibility but come out with the truth, they said.

Three months have passed since the accident in Peraliya in Hikkaduwa. More than 1,500 people had crammed into the train as it travelled to the southern city of Galle.

The force of the tsunami threw the train's eight cars into a bog and left the coastal railroad a twisted mess of metal.

This disaster is believed to be the world's worst train crash.

The convener of the Association of the Affected families of Peraliya Train accident, Priyantha Jayasiri Perera said railway authoties were hiding the facts from the day one of the disaster.

"They can't wipe away the tears of the past by holding exhibitions, various commemorative ceremonies and having musems", he said.

Sanjaya Fonseka taking part in the protest said that he went to the Fort Railway Station on December 27 to gather information about his relative who was the driver of the train. When he met the Senior Superintendent of the Fort Railway Station, he said he was asked to go to the enquiring counter. This is how they treat people even within the department, he added.