The Station Masters Union of Sri Lanka charges that the failure by the Railways General Manager to issue clear directives pertaining to the function of trains on the 9th of July led to clashes between commuters and Station Masters in several areas that morning.
President Sumedha Somaratne said this was a deliberate effort by the General Manager.
The Union lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka requesting an investigation into the matter.
Somaratne speaking to media subsequently said trains operations were cancelled when Police curfew was imposed in the night on the 8th of July.
He charged that no clear directive was issued to employees.
Somaratne said at dawn on the 9th of July commuters clashed with Station Masters at the Kandy, Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, and Avissawella train stations as trains did not function.
He said this was a deliberate act to disrupt services and urged the Human Rights Commission to lay the groundwork to conduct legal action.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Railway Employees Collective Sudesh Nandimal said the Railways General Manager worked towards preventing protesters from reaching Colombo on the 9th of July to join the people’s struggle.
He charged that the General Manager suspended train operations adding that the rights of commuters and employees were violated.
Nandimal said the General Manager made arbitrary decisions without any written directive.
He added state officials must not be politicised and therefore claimed that legal action will be sought against the General Manager.
