22 office trains in operation ; talks with rail employees today

The Railways Department said that 22 office trains had been functioning today (Oct 4) after a gazette had been issued to declare railways as an essential service.

Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said that 22 drivers had reported to work, and that employees engaged in the strike have been summoned for a meeting today.

Generally, 40 office trains operate each in the mornings and evenings.

Accordingly, Mr. Fernando said that the full quota of office trains are expected to run in the evening after talks with employees.

However, he observed that long-distance and mail train services still remain disrupted.

The Presidential Secretariat yesterday issued a gazette declaring rail services as an essential service as the indefinite strike by employees entered its eight day, severely inconveniencing commuters.

The strike had been staged demanding that the grading and salary anomalies be resolved in their sector.

However, the law states that any attempt to disrupt an essential service will be considered as an offence.

(Reporting by Damith Wickramasekara)