The leaves of all railway assistant guards have been cancelled with immediate effect, the Sri Lanka Railways reported a short while ago.
Accordingly, all railway assistant guards who are scheduled to work today (05 Oct.) have been ordered to report to work before 12:00 noon, the General Manager of Railways said.
Train services were disrupted after an unanticipated strike was launched by railway assistant guards on Wednesday (04 Oct.), after an assistant guard was allegedly assaulted by a security guard at the Maligawatta railway yard.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of Railways stated that while Sri Lanka Police is looking into the matter, the Railways Department, too, has appointed a three-member committee to investigate the alleged assault.
Against this backdrop, security forces personnel had been deployed to railway stations last evening to maintain peace and security. However, tense situations were reported as passengers were infuriated by the trade union action.
