Railway strike continues

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Trains services have come to a complete standstill due to the trade union action launched by railway trade unions. An official at the railway control room noted that all railway services including the issuing of tickets have been stopped. Following a sudden trains strike announced on Wednesday (Aug 8th) afternoon, enraged commuters attacked railway trade union leaders and staged a massive demonstration opposite the Fort Railway station. Our correspondents in the field reported that a large group of people continue to occupy the Fort railway station and that they have been there since last night. Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Ashok Abeysinghe has urged trade unions to abandon the trade union action and come in for discussions. The Deputy Minister added that a decision was taken by the Ministry of Transport to allow private buses to operate on any route irrespective of their particular route permits until the railway strike ends. The government has decided to launch a free bus service today, operated by the Sri Lanka army, for students sitting the GCE Advanced Level Examination.