Station masters say that they have decided to intensify their trade routes in the face of the Railway Department’s continued failure to meet their demands.
Accordingly, they have decided to withdraw from all services at midnight.
They say that they have been carrying out their trade union action in a manner that does not cause any inconvenience to the people and that the action had to be intensified due to the lack of attention from the authorities.
Speaking to NewsRadio, Chairman of the Railway Station Masters’ Association Sumedha Somaratne said they are currently not issuing tickets or transporting parcels.
Sumedha Somaratne said however trains are currently in operation and they are also handling reservations.
He said they held talks with the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport but the issues remain unresolved.
Somaratne noted although the subject Minister and the State Minister of Transport are in favour of resolving the matters, the administration of the Sri Lanka Railway Department has not shown the same eagerness.
He said after announcing that they will intensify the trade union action, the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways reached out to them.
Sumedha Somaratne said they however did not receive firm assurances and therefore they are left with no other alternative but to withdraw from all services.
He added since station masters of all stations will withdraw from all services, it is likely that trains will be cancelled tomorrow.
Chairman of the Railway Station Masters’ Association Sumedha Somaratne noted that they are not keen on inconveniencing the people but the decision was taken due to arbitrary handling of affairs of the Railway Department by the management.
Station Masters commenced the trade union action a number of days ago, over concerns related to promotions, signaling systems and several other matters.
