Nine trains operate despite the strike

Nine trains will operate to Colombo Fort this morning to facilitate the commuters and to bring the office crowd to Colombo even during the strike, a Railways senior official said.

He said one train each from Kandy, Maho, Kurunegala, Rambukkana, Veyangoda, Chillaw and Avissawella will arrive at the Fort Railway Station this morning, while two trains will arrive from Galle.

Two trains had also been assigned to Rambukkana and Kurunegala following the orders of the Railway General Manager (GMR) yesterday.

"About 380 to 400 train services usually operate per day in the country, but only nine trains operated today," he said.

The same number of trains would operate in the evening despite the strike to facilitate the commuters, the official added.

The Locomotive Engine Operators' Union (LEOU) Secretary Indika Dodangoda said they would be meeting the ministerial sub-committee appointed to look into the several strike actions this afternoon. 

"We will be discussing with the subcommittee this afternoon without stopping our trade union action. If did not get any favourable solution, we will continue with our second step," he said.

Last Friday the Transport State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe said the subcommittee plans to have separate discussions with the railway trade unions today.

Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Vajira Abeywardena and Rajitha Senaratne comprise the Cabinet sub-committee. (Nine trains will operate to Colombo Fort this morning to facilitate the commuters and to bring the office crowd to Colombo even during the strike, a Railways senior official said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)