Office trains operating despite 48‑hour railway strike

Despite a 48‑hour strike launched by railway unions from midnight yesterday (16), the Railway Department confirmed that all office trains have begun journeys from their scheduled locations, ensuring services for commuters.

The strike, called in protest against the administrative actions of the General Manager of Railways, involves railway drivers, controllers, station masters, and several other unions.

It follows a disciplinary letter issued against Kasun Chamara Jayasekara, General Secretary of the Station Masters’ Association, which was later suspended by a directive from Asiri Karunawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.

The Railway Department’s Superintendent of Train Operations, Asanka Samarasinghe said that except for one train, all others are scheduled to run normally. The Railway Department also confirmed that services across all routes are being maintained despite union action.

Union leaders, however, insist the strike is necessary. Sumedha Somaratne, President of the Station Masters’ Association, said several trains were cancelled even before the strike began, inconveniencing passengers.

He accused the General Manager and executive officers of failing to prepare plans to secure revenue or provide facilities for commuters, adding that the majority of station masters have joined the strike. He stressed that the action is not politically motivated but aimed at strengthening the department.

Passengers at Fort railway station faced difficulties last evening when several train journeys were cancelled ahead of the strike.

According to the Railway Department, services have been scheduled as follows: 13 trains on the Coastal Line, 11 on the Puttalam Line, 15 on the Main and Northern Lines, and 7 on the Kelani Valley Line.

The unions have also demanded the removal of the current General Manager of Railways, with the strike expected to continue until midnight tomorrow (18). (Newswire)

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