Train drivers planned a strike in protest of training the army to drive trains.

Train drivers' trade unions announce that the strike planned to be implemented from midnight yesterday has been suspended, and therefore, train operations today will proceed as usual without any hindrance.

This trade union action was called by the Locomotive Operating Engineers and Locomotive Officers Association. They prepared for this strike in protest of the government's decision to provide train driver training to twenty army personnel, in addition to the civilians selected for driver training through a competitive examination.

However, holding a special press conference last night, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Gunasekara, stated that steps were taken to temporarily halt the decision to provide the relevant training to army officers. The Minister emphasized that this decision was made with the aim of preventing a strike, as nearly 450,000 students facing this year's G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination should not face any transport difficulties.

The Deputy Minister, stating that he strongly condemns this protest by train drivers, recalled the exceptional contribution made by the army to restore the railway department in the face of the recent 'Ditwa' cyclone. Appreciating the support provided by army engineers for about two months for the construction of Bailey bridges, repair of railway tracks, and repair of train engines at the Ratmalana workshop, he further stated that it was initially decided to provide this vocational training to a group of military personnel for use in an emergency.