Trains services back to normal

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Railway Trade Unions decided to call off their strike action today (August 12) after several trade union representatives held discussions with the President this morning in Polonnaruwa. The Railway Trade Unions launched their strike action alleging that the agreements that were reached by the cabinet sub-committee headed by Dr. Sarath Amunugama, were not fulfilled. The strike action was launched without prior notification, on the 8th of this month. Speaking to News 1st, Secretary of the Railway Guards Association, P.M. P Pieris stated that following discussions held with the president Ministers Sarath Amunugama, Rajitha Senaratne and Mangala were instructed to pay the salaries as approved. Meanwhile, President of the Railway Guards Union, Aloka Jayasinghe said that some time would be required to restore the train services to normal and that by tomorrow a normalized train service for the general public could be expected. However, according to the Deputy Minister of Transport, Ashok Abeysinghe the strike was called off based on the decision that the cabinet paper will be reviewed within three months after it is presented. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Cabinet Co Spokesperson stated that there is some justice in the requests made by the railway engine drivers and the others as they were not asking for a salary hike but only a rectification of a salary anomaly. Three trains operated this afternoon from Colombo Fort to Negombo, Aluthgama, and Kurunegala and the Railway Department had also said that the mail trains will be operating today.