Train strike steams ahead

Colombo (News 1st) The strike action launched by several trade unions of the Department of Railways from midnight yesterday, is still underway. Many trains that were due to operate last evening, were cancelled. The general public is facing inconveniences due to the ongoing strike. The strike was launched after talks with the Minister of Finance, over the failure to implement the cabinet paper to remove existing railway employee salary anomalies failed. Speaking to the media Lal Ariyaratna, President of the Railway Controllers' Association said that on May 16th 2018, they held a discussion with the President. He promised the request will be fulfilled. Then the matter was discussed with the Finance Minister. However, they have not fulfilled our requests to date. He said that due to the opposition of some officials of the finance ministry he cannot agree. However, there is no reason for such officials to disagree. The Sri Lanka Transport Board says that measures in its maximum capacity have been implemented to minimize the inconvenience caused to the general public.