Tension prevailed at the Fort railway station this evening due to a picketing campaign by casual employees of Sri Lanka Railways, which delayed about fifteen trains on the coastal line, including the Ruhunu Kumari.

Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) operations superintendent L. A. M. Ratnayake said the train service on the coastal line was resumed last evening after police intervened and dispersed the protesting workers.

The casual workers of the SLR began a protest last Monday demanding that they be made permanent.

When asked whether any action was taken to resolve their issues, Mr. Ratnayake said “The Transport Ministry handed over a letter to them assuring them that a Cabinet paper would be presented to resolve their issues:.

However, the protesters went ahead despite the assurance given by the Transport Ministry and the railway line had to be cleared with the help of the police. (Ajith Siriwardana and Chaturanga Pradeep)