Smooth train service despite strike call

Strike called off

Irangika Range

The train strike was called off after a discussion between the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA), Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Transport Secretary K.D Dhammika Perera, at the Ministry auditorium yesterday evening.

Minister Welgama said the Transport Ministry has forwarded several recommendations in this regard to the National Salaries & Cadres Commission. Minister Welgama also requested Trade Union representatives not to inconvenience train commuters until a solution is provided by the National Salaries & Cadres Commission following the discussion with the Transport Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) will launch an island wide a token bus strike from midnight today (Wednesday night).

LPBOA President Gamunu Wijeratne said private bus operators will stage an island-wide strike as the government has failed in taking a firm decision on the implementation of the National Bus Fare Policy.

Despite the much publicised threat by the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) to cripple the country’s train service through a 48-hour strike, 15 trains operated on the main line service.

A Railways Department spokesman said 14 trains operated day before yesterday despite the strike call.

The trains from outstation stations such as Galle, Aluthgama, Panadura, Gampaha, Polgahawela, Veyangoda Rambukkana, Chilaw and Puttalam operated to Colombo and back.

Sri Lanka Transport Board Chief Operations Superintendent H.M. Chandrasiri, bus operations in Colombo and other parts of the country continued as usual.

“Priority was given to routes running parallel to the railway network,” he said.

Chandrasiri said the so-called trade union action had no impact whatsoever on the state bus service, which is why they were able to operate 300 buses in addition to the Board’s usual operating fleet.

“The number of buses which operated throughout the island yesterday exceeded 4,700 whereas the regular fleet comprises only 4,400 buses. We are grateful to the SLTB employees who did not take part in this strike,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama expressed his gratitude to transport workers who displayed courage in the face of threats and intimidation to uphold the principle of country first.JTUA launched a 48 hour strike from July 7 midnight based on several demands including a wage hike.