Train drivers to begin 48-hour strike tonight

29 July 2025 12:13 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, July 29 (Daily Mirror) - The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Union (LOEU) today announced that it will go ahead with its planned 48-hour strike starting tonight, citing unresolved concerns over malfunctioning railway signal systems and long-standing delays in grade-based promotions.

LOEU representatives said the strike is a result of continuous neglect of several key demands. Among them are delays in appointing special class officers, failure to forward recruitment procedures for approval, lack of promotions for driver grades, postponed examinations and recruitments, and the poor condition of workspaces such as driver's operating rooms. They also highlighted the lack of basic facilities such as bungalows and dormitories for staff.

Railways General Manager J.I.D. Jayasundara confirmed that discussions were held with the union both last evening and this morning in an attempt to resolve the situation.

“We have already begun working on some immediate solutions and are hopeful that we can address the other concerns soon,” he said.

Jayasundara further said that many of the issues raised by the union stem from 2023 and have remained unresolved due to administrative delays.

Despite efforts by railway authorities to find a middle ground, the LOEU said it has no choice but to move forward with the strike, which is expected to severely disrupt rail services across the country.

Comments - 9

Concerned Tuesday, 29 July 2025 12:24 PM

Start training new train drivers there are so many young men and women who are unemployed call for trainee engine drivers fill in the gaps then when these old hags strike take remedial action

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It’s so easy to fall in love ( I mean train a driver) Tuesday, 29 July 2025 06:31 PM

In Sydney it takes 1.5 years to train a new driver. How long does it take in SL?

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Anura Jayantha Tuesday, 29 July 2025 12:42 PM

How many train drivers are there? Get rid of them and bring some.people.from India..train new Sri Lankan drivers and deploy..

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D P P Prasad Tuesday, 29 July 2025 01:03 PM

The engine drivers are getting number of perks and privileges like unlimited overtime allowance batta and other benefits. Meanwhile certain government workers are depending on very poor salaries. However as we believe the biggest issue what the engine drivers are facing is malfunctioning of signal system. The general manager of railway should think about this signal failure and should take immediate action in order to resolve and restore it. On the other hand drivers should consider the grievances being faced by the railway commuters very systematically. Therefore the drivers should call off the scheduled trade union action subjected to the negotiations

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Sambo Tuesday, 29 July 2025 01:36 PM

Here we go again. This hurts nor the politicians nor the railways but the poor commuter. Railways, Heath are the most cursed departments in our country and is a huge obstacle to development.

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Mr Malwatte Tuesday, 29 July 2025 03:04 PM

Thease trade unions always fight for gains siding with so called progressive politics. What more they except from them in power or drowning country?

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R. K. D. C. Bernard Tuesday, 29 July 2025 04:10 PM

There are some essential state services in our country including railways and so on. Our hidden front of political movements also try to catch this places with holding their necessities against the regime for achieving their political purposes. But those workers don't know and don't care the reality. According to the salary level and other additional allowances with other government services, railway means a highest more than others but problems are ongoing with staff of every grades. Not an end them is the important issue at this moment. It is caused what I mentioned above. Many of workers are misleaded by that sections with demanding some unnecessary matters.

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Umar Perera Tuesday, 29 July 2025 05:04 PM

Hopefully, no elephants will be run down during this time.

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concererned Wednesday, 30 July 2025 06:39 AM

Every other month these the CHR has some sort of strike either its drivers, station masters, signal guys. The gov should have a back up plan, get rid of all these rotten eggs and recruit new or employ from India, after all the CGR is blackmailing the commuters who pay for their journey, especially the tourists the will never book another train or recommend anyone touring the country to do so.

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