Interruption to train service on Northern line from Sunday Railway TUS demand arrest of unruly commuters within 48 hrs

Railway trade unions yesterday said that the train services on the northern railway line would be disrupted from this Sunday if the police failed to arrest those who were involved in the Pothuhera blockade incident on Wednesday, within 48 hrs.

Speaking to the media Railway Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) Co-convener Lal Ariyaratne said the trade unions including Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union, Ceylon Railway Guards’ Union, Railway Engine Drivers’ Union and Train Controllers’ Union would support the trade union action.

The Trade Unions had informed the matter to the Railways’ General Manager and he had assured legal action against the individuals who were involved in the incident within 24-hours.

“We will begin our strike after another 24 hours,” he said.

The trade union alliance vowed trade union action if the authorities failed to take legal action against the suspects.

Mr. Ariyaratne said that all train services on the northern railway line beyond Polgahawela - including the office and the night mail trains - would be suspended as a result of scheduled trade union action. He requested the police to investigate the matter based on the video footage taken by the Police officers during

the incident. He also added that during the trade union action, the security of the employees and the railway properties should be protected by the law enforcement authorities and in case of any damage to the properties or employees’ lives, it would lead into a countrywide trade union action.

A group of commuters disrupted the railway services near the Pothuhera railway station on Wednesday (October 31) night. The unruly commuters threatened the locomotive driver and guard of the Fort bound Kks-colombo Intercity Express to slow down and allow the Colombo- Kurunegala slow train at Pothuhera Railway Station.

A tense situation erupted after the commuters threatened the express train driver and the guard to haul back the train until the slow train passed.

The commuters threatened the locomotive driver and guard of the Fort bound KKS –Colombo Intercity Express to slow down and allow the Colombo ku ru ne gala slow train at Pothuhera Railway Station