The Railway trade unions and the Private Bus Operators Association yesterday, decided to call off their scheduled strike today following a discussion with President Maithripala Sirisena.
Railway Trade Union Collective Convenor Janaka Fernando told that they decided to call off their trade union action following a discussion with the President.
Over 60 Railway Department trade unions had decided to launch a strike over four demands. “We discussed our issues with the President yesterday evening . We decided to call off our trade union action scheduled for today,”he said.
He said that they had a meeting with Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva yesterday morning “this discussion ended up without reaching to a settlement of our issues," he said. Meanwhile, the Private Bus Operators' Association has also decided not to participate in the scheduled strike today following a meeting with the President. According to a release issued by the Presidential Media Division, Private Bus Operators Association president Gemunu Wijeratne had met Presdient Maithripala Sirisena yesterday and agreed not participate in the scheduled strike action. It was revealed at the meeting that the new fine system will be effective only after making necessary amendments to the Moto Traffic Act. It also transpired that this system will be implemented after obtaining approval from the Attorney General and Parliament. The officials informed the representatives that both parties can reach an amicable settlement with regard to fine for overtaking from the left and high speed through discussions. Transport Minister Nimal siripala De Silva and Deputy Minister Ashoka Abeysinghe were also present.
