Strikes limit train services, causing inconvenience to passengers

A 48-hour symbolic strike, organized by 26 railway trade unions based on several demands including the immediate removal of the current General Manager of Railways, commenced at midnight on the 16th. Although the strike was in effect, it is reported that most office trains arriving at major cities, including Colombo Fort, ran as usual this morning.

Although some train services were slightly delayed, most office workers arriving from outstation areas were able to complete their journeys without much inconvenience.

Mr. Kasun Chamara Jayasekara, Co-convener of the Joint Railway Trade Union Alliance and Chief Secretary of the Railway Station Masters' Union, stated that the strike would continue until midnight on the 18th. The alliance emphasizes that the struggle will not be abandoned until the General Manager, responsible for the severe administrative and operational breakdowns in the Railway Department, is removed. He further stated that although the Ministry of Transport took steps to suspend the letter issued against the Secretary of the Station Masters' Union, the strike would not cease until the main demand is met, and that driver assistants, shunting drivers, and yard workers also support this trade union action.

Meanwhile, Mr. Asanka Samarasinghe, Superintendent of Railway Traffic, stated that despite the strike, train services have been planned on all routes to minimize inconvenience to passengers. Accordingly, steps have been taken to operate 13 services on the coastal line, 11 on the Chilaw line, 15 on the main and northern lines, and 7 on the Kelani Valley line. Police and other security forces have been deployed for security at railway stations, and Mr. Sumedha Somaratne, President of the Railway Station Masters' Union, accused the authorities of attempting to sabotage the strike.

Due to the strike, ticket counters at railway stations were closed, and passengers had to travel for free. Furthermore, the failure to issue announcements about train operations via loudspeakers and the cancellation of many slow train services caused severe inconvenience to passengers traveling on some routes. Even on the afternoon before the strike began, several services were canceled without prior notice, causing great distress to passengers waiting at Colombo Fort Railway Station.

As a result of the strike, the exit gate at Nugegoda Railway Station was locked, causing great inconvenience to passengers arriving from Avissawella. Passengers, including elderly women who disembarked from the train, complained that they had to climb down from the railway platform onto the tracks and walk along the railway line. While other railway stations remained open, the public stated that closing Nugegoda Railway Station in this manner was a serious error and condemned the authorities' actions.