Eight railway unions which were on strike have decided to report back to work. Secretary, Transport Ministry G. S. Vithanage was quoted by local media yesterday saying the government planned to recall all retired staff into service, drivers working at the periphery of stations to be trained under seniors to operate as engine drivers and to recruit workers as guards.
He said despite all their efforts and the country’s most senior administrator, the Secretary to the President having held discussions with the unions twice, they had failed to arrive at a solution.
The unions as well as the Secretary to the President, Austin Fernando were able to reach a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on several issues during their discussions on Sunday but discussions fell apart over the manner in which the final agreement was addressed.
According to the union leader, they are prepared to call off the strike if the authorities can officially agree to implement the discussed agreement. Parliament in the meantime approved the Gazette to make the Railways an essential service yesterday.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
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