Transport Ministry requests Railway TUs to call off strike

8 December 2017 05:30 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Civil Aviation and Transport Ministry yesterday had requested Railway Trade Unions to call off their strike considering the inconvenience caused to the public as well as to the students sitting for the GCE O/L Examination.

Several trade unions including Train Controllers' Union, Railway Engine Drivers' Union, Railway Station Masters' Union and the Railway Guards' Union launched a strike from Wednesday midnight citing several demands.

They urged the government to abolish an Act that was being followed to recruit Assistant Engine Drivers at a higher salary scale saying it went against the existing Railway recruitment procedure.

The Ministry said a discussion was held between Ministry Secretary G. S. Vithanage, Railways General Manager S. Mahanama and the Locomotive Engineers Union at the Ministry yesterday in a bid to resolve the issue.

Ministry Secretary G. S. Vithanage had wanted the trade unions to resolve the matter through discussion and pointed out that the Supreme Court had already given an order based on a case filed by the Engine Driver's Assistance Union over the examination being held to recruit Assistant Engine Drivers.

The secretary said a government servant can’t go against the rulings of the court but promised to do his best to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, he said the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and National Transport Commission (NTC) had deployed additional buses to avoid the inconvenience caused to the public due to the railway strike. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

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Comments - 7

Unchikun Friday, 08 December 2017 06:26 AM

The public transport system in Sri Lanka gets step motherly treatment from the government. Billions are spent on "express ways" while very little is spent on public transport. Capping it there is a deputy mister who just spits numbers and doses nothing. It is time the railway is privatized and improved to meet the needs of the public today and the future.

Mike Friday, 08 December 2017 06:50 AM

All these strikes going on in the country could have been averted in case you had a skilled President who knew his job. His current job is to make money with his corrupted goons during his term of sevice.He will have to be charged in the courts for his corruption when his term of service is over.

malij Friday, 08 December 2017 06:51 AM

It is very clear that this strike is also politically motivated. The name of the game is "power at any cost". While the politicians in the opposition are using the people of this country unmercifully and thriving on their sufferings in their relentless bid to gain power, government is taking ages to counter their moves. Unless the voters get rid of the parasites of both sides, the future is going to be very bleak.

lion Friday, 08 December 2017 07:11 AM

what is this every day strike it may be doctors,petrolatum,trains can a country go forward like this. This is the bad part of democracy for countries which do not adequately educated people.

willowsd Friday, 08 December 2017 07:46 AM

the people who does not understand the true democracy must be treated with Whit van Culture, only way to stop these unfair unethical trade union actions?

Yahiya Friday, 08 December 2017 08:38 AM

Very inhuman act of Railway department. Gen. Sarath Fonseka must appoint as country leader to bring the civilized nations.

parakum Friday, 08 December 2017 08:51 AM

Message to President

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Transport Ministry requests Railway TUs to call off strike

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