2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka

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2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka - Wikipedia

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This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2019)

2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka

Part of railway strike in Sri Lanka

Date

25 September 2019 – 7 October 2019

Location

Sri Lanka

Methods

Strikes and protests also include work-to-rule, Go Slow Down

Status

Caused by the labourers demanding high salary increments from the government.

Parties

Sri Lanka Railways

Rail unions:
- Locomotive Engine Operators Union
- Sri Lanka Railways Guard Union
- Railway Drivers Union
- Railway Station Masters Union

Lead figures

Maithripala Sirisena, President

2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka was an industrial dispute which happened for 12 consecutive days between the Sri Lanka Railways and the Government of Sri Lanka over the salary increments. It was considered to be one of the longest railway strikes in Sri Lanka since 2008. The strike began in mid September from midnight and ended up on 7 October 2019.^[1]

On 3 October 2019, Sri Lankan government issued an ordinary gazette declaring the railway service as an essential service.^[2] It also meant that the leave of government employees were officially cancelled with immediate effect.

On 7 October 2019, the strike action was called off following the discussions with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.^[3]

Background

Sri Lanka Railways is one of the most accessible, cheapest and significant modes of transportation modes in Sri Lanka. However the railway transport in the country has been significantly affected over the years due to the frequent protests held by the labourers of the Railway Department demanding for higher salaries. These issues have often caused severe difficulties for the general public to utilise the railway transport system. Railway transport is the most inefficient transport mode in Sri Lanka as the Sri Lanka Railways often run with severe losses.^[4]

Response

As a remedy to the strike action, about 3000 railway employees who were on strike were suspended. The Sri Lanka Railways was also reported to have lost Rs 15 million in income each day due to the strikes.^[2] The rail strikes were highly criticised by the general public who prefer the relevant transport as a main transport mode.^[5]

References

^ "Sri Lanka : Train strike enters 12th day; trade unions vow to continue". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
^ ^a ^b "Railway Unions continue strike for eleventh day". Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
^ "Railway strike called off after 12 days - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
^ "A foreigner's perspective on Sri Lanka's public transport | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
^ "Sri Lanka : Public curse the unfair train strike, stern action if not ended by Monday - Minister". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2019-10-07.

v t e Rail transport in Sri Lanka
Operators/service providers	Sri Lanka Railways ExpoRail Rajadhani Express Viceroy Special
By Province	Central Province Eastern Province North Central Province Northern Province North Western Province Sabaragamuwa Southern Province Uva Western Province
Lines	Batticaloa line Coastal line Kelani Valley line Main Line Mannar line Matale line Mihintale line Northern line Puttalam line Trincomalee line Uda Pussellawa railway (closed)
Stations	List of railway stations Railway stations by province List of railway stations by line
Trains	Locomotives Named passenger trains Boat mail
History	Trams in Colombo Railway accidents Bandarawela Hotel National Railway Museum 2019 Sri Lanka Railway strike

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