All office trains operating as usual despite trade union strike – Railways Dept.

Despite several railway trade unions launching a 48-hour strike from midnight yesterday (16), all office trains are presently operating as usual, Sri Lanka Railways said.

Railway trade unions launched the 48-hour strike, based on several demands including the removal of the current General Manager of Railways.

Commenting on the ongoing trade union action, Chairman of the Railway Station Masters' Association Sumedha Somarathna said several trains had been cancelled yesterday even before the strike began, causing inconvenience to passengers.

Somarathna further alleged that the General Manager and executive officers were currently attempting to operate trains, while no proper programme had been prepared to increase railway revenue or provide the facilities required by passengers.

He said that the majority of railway station masters had joined the strike, while several station masters who are supportive of the Government were attempting to disrupt the strike and take steps to retain the current General Manager.

He stressed that the trade union action is not politically motivated, but was aimed at restoring the railway department.