Railway operations back to normal from today (14)

Railway operations are expected to return to normal today (14) as the Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has reportedly called off their strike following successful discussions with the relevant authorities on Wednesday (13).

Hundreds of commuters were afflicted as more than 100 train journeys were cancelled when the trade union launched a strike at midnight on Monday (11) claiming that several key demands including the amendments to the recruitment process and promotions have not been addressed for nearly five years.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, issued a gazette notification on Tuesday (12) declaring the public transport services for passengers or goods and the provision and maintenance of facilities for transport services by railway lines as essential services under the Essential Public Service Act.