Strike launched by several railway trade unions continues today

Several railway trade unions who launched a surprise strike since last evening over longstanding salary anomalies announced that their strike will continue until adequate relief provided by the government authorities. Union leaders expressed hopes that President Maithripala Sirisena will intervene in the matter to resolve their pending issues. 

Meanwhile the Ministry of Transport said that all rain season ticket holders will be allowed to travel on Sri Lanka Transport Board buses free of charge in view of the strike launched by railway unions. The Ministry said the decision was taken following a strike launch by several rail trade unions this afternoon.

A tense situation was reported at the Colombo Fort Station last evening, after a group of commuters launched a protest against the railway strike.

Rail commuters demanded the unions to end their strike action what they deemed as an unfair demonstration. Several railway trade unions including drivers, controllers and other technical staff commenced a strike action from 3pm last afternoon.