Train strike to be called off at midnight

COLOMBO (News 1st): The train strike launched by employees belonging to several grades of the railway trade unions is due to end by midnight today (June 22). The 48-hour strike action that was launched on June 20th  was regarding the dysfunctional cabinet paper that was approved to remove salary anomalies of the railway employees and due to the unsuccessful discussions held with the Minister of Finance. The protest was joined by train drivers, regulators, controllers, masters and railway supervision managers and employees of several other grades. Speaking to News 1st the Deputy Superintendent of the Ceylon Transport Board, P. H. R. T. Chandrasiri stated that 600 buses have been deployed for the passengers who faced difficulties due to the ongoing protest. The Superintendent of Railways Dilantha Fernando noted that since morning measures were taken for a train to make nine journeys. The department stated that generally on the weekends that the trains make 300 trips. The superintendent added that even amidst the strikes yesterday (June 21) that trains made to 31 journeys.