News
Aggrieved Sri Lankans want worker grief resolved
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
The Railway Station Masters and Controllers Union and the Executive Grade Officers of University Non-Academic Staff called off their strikes On July 12. Despite this, the Collective of State and Provincial State Services Trade Union continues its protests, disrupting public services.
The rail station masters’ strike, which began at 00:01 on July 10 and ended at 00:01 on July 12, led to the cancellation of over 100 train trips leaving commuters stranded and frustrated.
The overcrowded conditions led to a fatal accident near Bemmulla station.
Sampath Sujeewa, a government employee who witnessed the incident described to the Sunday Times how a man, aged between 40 years and 50 years, lost his life.
“Who is responsible for such deaths?” Mr Sujeewa asked. “These protests cause significant disruption to daily life. We pay for services with our hard-earned money, yet the government fails to provide them. Both the protesters and the government are accountable.”
Commuters like H. M. Fonseka expressed their anger. “This strike is very unfair. We can’t report to office on time or return home early. Office authorities question our late attendance. Such protests severely affect the public.”
Chirani Renuka, who travels daily from Kalutara to Colombo, shared her frustration: “We usually reach home around 5.15p.m. after work, but today we’ve been waiting at the station for over two hours. Our valuable time is wasted here. Both the government and the protesters are responsible for this disruption.”
Many commuters, who rely solely on trains, felt hopeless.
A commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “We are fed up with actions taken without considering the impact on commuters. The government and the departments need to find solutions.”
Ajith Wickramasinghe, a private sector employee, urged the president to take action against unnecessary strikes. “These strikes disrupt many, including those who come to Colombo for medical services, or to go to government departments. We waste time that could be spent helping our children with their education.”
Even tourists were affected. A family from China, unable to board a train, had to arrange alternative transport.
Meanwhile, the non-academic staff protest, which lasted 73 days, had disrupted university operations.
Vithanage Madushan Chandraguptha, convener of the Inter-University Student Council, told the Sunday Times that students’ education and university life were severely impacted. “Online lectures failed to function properly. University life involves more than education; it includes many activities and events. The postponement of the Peradeniya University convocation has delayed students’ career plans.”
The secretary of the Colombo District Branch of the Gramasevaka District Association, Naleen Gunasekara, said that despite numerous issues such as inadequate monthly transport allowance, the government’s failure to resolve the sector’s demands of a service constitution meant the protest continues.
“The government’s inability to address our constitutional issues is unacceptable,” Gunasekara remarked. “Our work-to-rule action will continue, affecting courts and educational sectors, and the public, who depend on our services from birth to death.”
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