Bus and train strike from midnight today

1 December 2016 05:03 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) and the Railway Employees’ Trade Union Federation (RETUF) are to begin countrywide bus and train strikes from midnight today.

IPPBA president Sarath Vijitha Kumara said there would be a countrywide bus strike if the government did not rescind the proposal to impose a fine of Rs.25,000 for certain traffic offences.

He said the strike would last for five days if the President did not intervene to settle the matter.

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced on Monday that the Government would impose such a fine in respect of traffic offences such as speeding, drunk driving and overtaking on the left.

The strike is to be launched by all bus associations, in collaboration with motorcycle associations and container associations, in 16 districts.

Meanwhile, the Railway Employees’ Trade Union Federation convener Janaka Fernando said they would launch a 24-hour countrywide token strike from midnight today over several demands.

He said the token strike was mainly to express their opposition to the granting of Railway Department land to the private sector, the proposal to set up a land bank, irregular recruitment, the abolishing of pensioners’ rights and the proposed Railway Development Council.

He said the government pension scheme was established during the colonial era and not by a government elected after independence. The pension scheme was intended to protect public servants after retirement, and their families after their death.

“As a federation we are urging the government to safeguard the pension scheme and not abolish it,” he said.

He said the work stoppage would be only for a day because they did not want to inconvenience students sitting the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination as most of the students travel by train to reach their examination centres. “Our trade union action will continue after the examinations,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

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Comments - 11

ANTON Thursday, 01 December 2016 07:26 AM

WE NO WELL THAT THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOCTORS AND CONDUCTORS.

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 01 December 2016 10:14 AM

Yes; we knew that both were conning the public for money.

Jude Thursday, 01 December 2016 10:45 AM

This " strike" thing going Too Far!!!!???

alf Thursday, 01 December 2016 11:53 AM

This is like asking for a right to commit murder but the penalty for the crime should be a small fine only. Why dont the bus drivers avoid any traffic offences in the first place. The rulers should be strong enough to cancel the route licences of those who dont operate.

Malli Thursday, 01 December 2016 11:54 AM

Trade Union of Railways, what have they got to do with private buses. Good for nothing loss making over staffed railway work force......

Perumal Thursday, 01 December 2016 12:44 PM

Nationalise the bus service

faizal Thursday, 01 December 2016 07:37 PM

we will be able to witness strikers carrying placards dancing and singing slogans bombarding the bodiless air with the noise of nothingness. via DM Android App

Ilham Thursday, 01 December 2016 07:46 PM

"Nationalising the bus service is a difficult task. Restrict individual bus license. Give licences to private bus companies. Each company should have a minimum of 100 busses registered under them. We'd see higher quality of service." Anuradha. B

Selvyn Thursday, 01 December 2016 09:58 PM

The disputing parties must realize the importance of dialogue and work with compromise to find solutions via DM Android App

kondaya77 Thursday, 01 December 2016 11:42 PM

Declare transport and health as essential

Nick Friday, 02 December 2016 05:53 AM

people with cars please try to help those who take public transport as much as possible to teach this private buses that no can let us down as long as we are united true Srilankan via DM Android App

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Bus and train strike from midnight today

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