The Sri Lanka Station Masters Association will launch a 48-hour trade union action as of 6pm today (23).
The Station Masters will refrain from issuing railway tickets in opposition to the revised railway fares.
Secretary of the Association Kasun Chamara said although it was decided to revise train fares; there were certain discrepancies and concerns with the Gazette Notification and the decision taken.
Chamara said while the Department of Railways was informed of the concerns, they were ignored. He added an opportunity to discuss the issues was not provided as well.
Chamara stated the Association instructed Station Masters to issue tickets at previous fares while the Department of Railways said disciplinary action will be taken against such employees.
Chamara noted Station Masters will withdraw from issuing railway tickets while the public will not be inconvenienced as trains are due to function as usual.
Railways General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara said disciplinary action will be taken against employees who oppose the railway fare revision.
He said the train fare revision will be effective from today.
Jayasundara added revised fares will be displayed at all railway stations beginning today.
However, the Sri Lanka Station Master Association claimed that train tickets can be purchased at the old rates today as well.
The Association said they are still opposed to the revision of train fares, and will only implement the revision from the 1st of August. Jayasundara informed that the minimum train fare was increased from Rs.10 to Rs.20 as of midnight yesterday.
The minimum fare of the second class will be Rs.50 while the minimum fare of the first class will be Rs.100. The price of a platform ticket will also be increased to Rs.20.
