Many stranded due to railway strike

9 October 2014 02:11 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A large number of commuters have been stranded due to the ongoing island wide railway strike which was launched by the Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance (PRTUA) last night. Railway authorities said that less than 15 trains out of 108 are in operation.

Meanwhile speaking to the Daily Mirror, Railways Superintendent L.A.R Rathnayake said, twenty five trains have been deployed despite trade union strike today to facilitate those who were returning to Colombo after the Hajj festival.

All train services were cancelled from last night due to a strike by the Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance (PRTUA).

However, the Department of Railways said it had deployed alternate train services.

“Trains were allocated to Galle, Aluthgama, Kandy, Rambukkana, Polgahawela, Maho, Awissawella and Chilaw this morning. If the strike continues till this evening, we will do our best to allocate more trains to facilitate the office staff to return homes,” Mr. Rathnayaka said.

All the night mail trains leaving to and returning from Badulla, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Palai had been cancelled due to the island wide strike by PRTUA from last night.

Ratnayake said no long distance trains were operated since last night.

“However, there might be delays or shortage of trains unlike normal days. Therefore, we would like to remind commuters that there might be inconveniences,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of National Transport Commission Renuka Perera said special buses had been deployed from main stations in Kandy, Matara, Kurunegala and Galle to Colombo due to the strike.

The NTC was planning to allocate more buses to facilitate the people who were coming to Colombo and it would continue until the train strike ended, he said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

ABC Thursday, 09 October 2014 08:03 AM

I think these people behave like Railway is a property belongs to them. via DM Android App

Babara Thursday, 09 October 2014 02:47 AM

The strike is by the "Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance" which consists of drivers, station masters and other technical stall such as foemen, inspectors. This is a correct name as most engineers in Sri Lanka are not really professional. They only carry an alphabet at the end of their name. Which the "Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance" success.

rathne Thursday, 09 October 2014 03:14 AM

Lot of people have decided to stay home comparing average 45 min travel in a train vs average 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs travel time in a bus for same distance and with prevailing bad weather. What a waste of productivity to the country!!!!!

the Thursday, 09 October 2014 03:18 AM

engineers in this country are not professionals. They only two or three steps behind in the caliber of dirty politicians. They are the main responsible for the failures of organizations like CEB, Water Board, Telecom, Petroleum, Ports......

Robin Thursday, 09 October 2014 03:21 AM

This strike was timed to sabotage the inauguration of northern railway service. ABSURD

Sajith Thursday, 09 October 2014 09:19 AM

Now I badly miss Mr Premadasa He never allowed to act like this.

Niorshan Thursday, 09 October 2014 04:23 AM

Is there any professionalism at Sri Lanka Railway, this is one of horrible I the world. heee hooo

dogma Thursday, 09 October 2014 10:24 AM

It is about time we had proper and improved transport system in railway stations and bus stand These are like nerves of the island You should introduce insurance scheme and subsidiaries to improve services bus fares and railway fares are increase Then you increase all private and government salary too Yet still and now need develop transport system All these should be put forward biannually in the forth coming buget 2015 via DM Android App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Many stranded due to railway strike

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand