Train strike from midnight

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Trade Unions have announced that they will launch a train strike that will commence at midnight today (September 25). This is against a backdrop of a number of strike actions already taking place, particularly in the state sector, where employees are citing salary anomalies. The Chairman of the Railway Engine Drivers Association Indika Dodangoda stated that drivers, controllers, guards, and a few trade unions are taking part in the strike, which cites issues including salary anomalies. Health officers belonging to 22 grades also carried out a strike action earlier today. This included a number of issues such as the 5 day week, uniform allowance increment, overtime payments and the confirmation of new recruits. Patients who arrived at the hospitals this morning complained that they were unable to obtain medicine as the hospital was in a state of dysfunction. Officials at a number of hospitals including the National Hospital, the National Eye Hospital and a number of others were engaged in the strike for a period of 4 hours this morning. Due to the strike, a number of patients were stranded without the help they needed. However, the convener of the Health Services Trade Union noted that they haven't stopped issuing medicine to patients and noted that they are not part of the strike saga in the country. He went on to note that if they do not receive a favourable response they would continue the strike until the 30th. Meanwhile, a woman who was supposedly video recording the wards and the staff at the National Eye Hospital during the time of the strike was taken into the custody of the hospital security and later released. Anuradhapura Junior employees, drivers and health service assistants at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were not engaging in their duties today. Gampola The junior service staff at the Gampola Hospital also pledged their support to the ongoing strike action by carrying out a 4-hour strike earlier today. Strike actions of this nature were seen at a number of hospitals across the country over the course of today. However, this was not the case at certain hospitals in the Puttalam district. The trade union action that was commenced by the Association of State Administrative Officers continued for the second day today citing salary anomalies. As a result, the Galle District Secretariat, the Imaduwa Divisional Secretariat, the Galle KadawathSathara Divisional Secretariat, The Kandy District Secretariat, the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Kurunegala were among the places that saw day to day activities being hampered. Meanwhile, the strike action by the university non-academic staff continued for the 17th day today. As a result, academic activities in universities across the island did not take place again, today as well. Unemployed graduates also engaged in strike action this morning at the Galle Face Green, demanding jobs.