News
Night mail trains cancelled due to station masters’ strike
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
All night mail train services scheduled for last night (17) were cancelled due to the ongoing strike by the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union, the Railway Department announced yesterday.
Eight night mail journeys, including the Colombo–Badulla, Batticaloa–Colombo, Trincomalee–Colombo, and Jaffna–Colombo routes, have been affected.
The token strike, which began at midnight on Friday (16), was set to continue until midnight yesterday. However, the union has warned that continuous industrial action may follow if their demands remain unresolved. “Despite the planned conclusion of the strike tonight, we may proceed with further action if there are no satisfactory solutions,” said Mr. Sumedha Somaratne, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union.
The Ministry of Transport condemned the strike as “unjustified” and criticised it for “causing severe inconvenience to the general public.” Authorities said the union’s decision ignored ministerial-level efforts and constructive dialogue. “Such action—especially amid ongoing efforts to resolve the internal inefficiencies—raises serious concerns regarding the underlying motives,” the Ministry stated in a press release.
The union’s primary demands are regarding delays in implementing the 5-yearly grade promotion system and delays in the appointment of new officers. A cabinet paper approved on 22 January 2025 sanctioned the recruitment of 909 new officers, including 106 Station masters, but the process has been delayed due to internal inefficiencies within the Department of Railways.
Recommendations to address the grade promotions were submitted by the Director General and received by the Department on 7 May 2025. These are due to be forwarded to the Public Service Commission next week, and this timeline has already been communicated to the union.
Scenes at Badulla and Colombo Railway stations. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa and Akila Jayawardena
The Railway Department was also compelled to cancel several morning services on the 17th due to the strike. “We reported to work and ran the few trains that could,” said Upul Konthasinghe, President of the Locomotive Operating Engineering Union. He noted that while drivers continued their duties, the Ministry would need to introduce special alternative arrangements until services resumed.
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