Video: Thousands stranded due to railway strike

8 July 2013 02:58 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

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Thousands of commuters are stranded Island wide today due to a 48-hour railway strike launched by the Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance (RPTUA) since midnight on Sunday over salary anomalies.

A number of office trains have been obstructed and some of the postal trains have been cancelled as well, a railway official said.

All officials of the railway services including engine drivers, train guards, station masters, train controllers as well as all supervising coordinators of railways are taking part in the strike.
“We took measures to voice our grievances to the authorities including the Transport Minister and the Presidential Secretary concerning the salary anomaly. Although we were given promises of rectifying the anomaly, no such action has been taken so far,” Convener of the Joint Trade Union Alliance for Railway Employees, Janaka Fernando said.

On several occasions, the RPTUA has threatened to launch strikes that would cripple the railways sector, even as recently as April but had called it off at the last minute.
Meanwhile, a meeting will be held between President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and the representatives of the unions at 2.30 pm today.

Video by Darshana Sanjeewa

Comments - 12

Porky Pig Monday, 08 July 2013 03:13 AM

This strike is long overdue. The railway employees run and maintain very old railway infrastructure, locomotives and rolling stock. They work hard round the clock to keep the system going. The wages get are nothing compared to the private sectors. They need a 100% or more pay rise. Sorry "so called patriots".

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GontaBoy Monday, 08 July 2013 03:15 AM

It was a pain travelling in today morning ..

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rathne Monday, 08 July 2013 03:36 AM

2 1/2 bus journey to reach Colombo from Negombo. So much for wonder of Asia!!!!!

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MirakRajBanda Monday, 08 July 2013 03:37 AM

This is long standing tug-of-war between the government and the Railway employees. Can the government stop bullying and raise wages with immediate effect??
I agree that they are dedicated servicemen and when it come locomotive drivers, they do an enormous service to the nation.
They let the country move forward.......

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Porky Pig Monday, 08 July 2013 03:41 AM

Now we will be able to see the TGVs and the Shinkasens (Bullet trains) on the tracks compliments of the learned minister.

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amja077 Monday, 08 July 2013 12:00 AM

shit happens !!!! via DM Android App

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appuhamy Monday, 08 July 2013 03:56 AM

" SOMNAMBULISTIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM"

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Thomas Ranger Monday, 08 July 2013 04:00 AM

It will be worse after work.

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Amali Monday, 08 July 2013 05:41 AM

With the increasing road traffic, there are lots of people opting to travel by train. I myself take train to come to Colombo from Kandy. It takes only 2 1/2 and a lot more comfortable. I'm wondering why the authorities do not focus on investing on Railways as there is so much scope for development. Why do they have to waste so much money and quality property on Highways when they can easily repair the rail tracks? Better rail tracks can reduce Kandy-Colombo journey to 2 hours without any problem.

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wimal Monday, 08 July 2013 05:49 AM

Change the minister, appoint professor M.Silva or patriot Hon. WImal weerawansa. They can find patriotic or thug solutions against strikers.

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D.P.Liyanage Monday, 08 July 2013 06:03 AM

Actually this time Government should get the blame. I suppose this is not only regarding wages(increase of salaries) but their promotions or carrier schemes as well. This is one time Government deprives poor citizens of Sri Lanka and employees of Sri Lanka Railways.

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raj Monday, 08 July 2013 09:31 AM

"The wages get are nothing compared to the private sectors."? The private sector gets less than what the government gets. and what can the Private sector employees do, can they strike? and who is going to pay for the salary increase, its the private sector.

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