>Railway Strike: All services, activity on hold

All activity at railway yards, workshops and offices of the Railways Department are reported to be entirely at a standstill, in addition to a total halt of all other train services, owing to the ongoing, indefinite trade union strike action.

Several railway trade unions launched an indefinite strike at midnight yesterday, accusing Transport Ministry officials of forcing the General Manager of Railways to reinstate a trade union activist who was interdicted on disciplinary grounds.

Chief Secretary of the Railway Trade Unions Association SP Vithanage however said Transport authorities have failed thus far to respond or initiate discussions to resolve union demands.

The Chief Secretary noted no train has been able to operate owing to the ongoing strike action that was launched last night.

Vithanage added all employees of running sheds, railway workshops, other relevant sites and offices had withdrawn from services.

The Chief Secretary remarked the strike action had been implemented following a decision reached by the trade union.

However, Vithanage claimed officials had not responded to nor invited unions for discussions adding therefore the strike action will continue indefinitely until unions receive a favourable response from authorities.

Several railway trade unions decided to jointly launch an indefinite strike, despite the Extraordinary Gazette Notification issued last week, declaring Sri Lanka Railways an essential service.

Meanwhile a special discussion is scheduled to be held between Minister of Transport Arjuna Ranatunga and officials of the Railways Department today.