However, early this morning, the railway department confirmed that only ten commuter trains were in operation this morning, although 13 commuter trains had been scheduled to be operated as usual to minimize the inconvenience caused to the passengers.
On Tuesday, the railway chief said several trade unions in the sector, including the Railway Guards’ Union, Station Masters’ Union, and Railway Controllers Association have not pledged support for the mass token strike today, although the Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union decided otherwise.
Ahead of the launch of the 24-hour strike action, the leave of all categories of staff in Sri Lanka Railways was cancelled with effect from Tuesday, until further notice.
All heads of the department to submit a report of the employees who do not report to work today, after asking them to show cause.
Railway service was declared an essential service in a special gazette notification issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 27.
A joint trade union action launched by multiple sectors including health, education, electricity, banking, water supply, postal and ports is taking place this week, against the recent decisions made by the government including the tax policy revision, electricity tariff hike and postponement of the local government election.
The Professionals’ Trade Union Alliance (PTUA) resorted to a 24-hour countrywide token strike today, as the discussions held with the government ended without unsuccessfully.
