Sri Lankan train drivers strike over pay and promotion issues
A group of Sri Lankan train drivers began a strike at midnight on Thursday (June 6).
S.R.C.M. Senanayake, Secretary of the Locomotive Operating Engineers Association, announced that trains from two stations in Colombo will not be running. He stated the strike is due to issues such as the absence of a salary code, and problems with promotions and recruitment.
Senanayake explained that the lack of a salary code causes various problems related to recruitment, promotions, and retirements. Despite a need for about 450 locomotive operators, there are currently fewer than 250.
He noted that while morning office trains will not be heavily impacted, afternoon trains are likely to be canceled.
The strike, launched due to unresolved issues, is limited to two of the five stations in Colombo due to the country’s current situation.
Reports indicate that the strike is primarily driven by promotion issues affecting 84 train drivers.
The Railway Control Room confirmed the cancellation of a train from Puttalam to Colombo Fort this morning.
Chandana Lal, president of the association, clarified that this strike was not an executive committee decision but was initiated by the association’s secretary.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka’s Election Commission asks Police to probe marked postal ballot on social media September 7, 2024
- Sri Lanka Customs hits record Rs. 1 Trillion revenue in first eight months of 2024 September 7, 2024
- Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry clarifies debt restructuring and sustainability analysis September 7, 2024
- Sri Lanka President appoints four new judges to Court of Appeal September 6, 2024
- Woman arrested in Dematagoda with 62 counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes September 6, 2024