The Department of Railways stated that, despite a strike initiated by several railway trade unions, train services are continuing to operate as normal.

The department’s Transport Superintendent, Asanka Samarasinghe, stated that although the strike action had commenced, all office train services were operated today, as they were yesterday.

Accordingly, he stated that office trains operated as usual on all lines and that all such trains are scheduled to operate as planned this evening as well.

He further stated that the Intercity train scheduled to operate from Kankesanthurai to Colombo is expected to run as scheduled this afternoon. In addition, the night mail trains operating between Kankesanthurai and Colombo, and Colombo and Kankesanthurai, are also scheduled to operate this evening.

However, he emphasized that passenger safety is given the highest priority before any train service is operated.

In this regard, he stated that the Badulla–Nanu Oya train service was not operated, as the safety of the railway track could not be guaranteed in advance. He added that no measures had been taken to operate trains on that route for the same reason.

He further stated that if any railway station is closed due to the strike, members of the public can visit www.pravesha.lk to purchase the necessary tickets for their journeys, and requested passengers to obtain their tickets accordingly.