News
Union member reinstated; railway strike called off
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union again called off their trade union action yesterday after the Railway Department reinstated a senior union member. Earlier in the day the union recommenced the strike over the suspension of their colleague. Train services, which resumed after the union called off thier strike on Thursday midnight, came to a standstill again after the announcement.
The Railway Department said it was contemplating legal action against the unannounced token strike launched by the Station Masters Association. It had caused severe inconvenience to the commuters, the Department said.
Chairman of the union Sumedha Somarathna said that they had launched their strike to address a number of issues that affected the railway system and the safety of the passengers.
“We have asked the government to solve the problems related to the transfers, recruitment and promotion of Station Masters. The Department has also failed to address some serious issues involving signal systems and the rolling stock,” he said.
In recent weeks a number of long distance trains had been cancelled a few hours before their scheduled departure time. By that time seats had been reserved and angry commuters had taken it out on the station masters, Somarathna said.
“The Secretary to the Ministry called us and assured that they would address these concerns. So, we stopped our trade union but if the government does not address these issues soon, we will not hesitate to resume our strike.”
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
The Situation Report released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) at 6:00 AM today (13th December 2025) confirms that 640 persons have died and another 211 persons are missing due to flooding and landslides that took place in Sri Lanka within the past two weeks.
Sethmika stars as Sri Lanka under 19s crush Nepal by 8 wickets
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Pregnant Mothers to receive Rs 5000 Nutrition Allowance in December
640 deaths, 211 missing as at 6:00AM today (13)
New Digitalization Policy draft reviewed
The government is taking steps to streamline trade facilitation, customs processes, investment approvals, and improving export facilities – Prime Minister
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features3 days agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight
-
News5 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News4 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
Features6 days agoThe Catastrophic Impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka:
-
News5 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features3 days agoHandunnetti and Colonial Shackles of English in Sri Lanka
-
Business2 days agoCabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
-
Business5 days agoSri Lanka betting its tourism future on cold, hard numbers