Rail strike called off after thousands stranded for hours

A wild-cat strike by a section of railway workers that left thousands of people stranded today evening was called off after an assurance from the Trnasport Minister Kumar Welgama to discuss their issue of salary anomalies.

The trade union action lasted for nearly four hours and railway authorities were expecting to bring the services back to normal before midnight.

The unannounced strike involved, Station Masters, Guards, Controllers and Running Shed officials, they said.

The situation led to a tense stand-off between enraged commuters, mainly home bound office workers and railway staff prompting the authorities to send in the police to maintain calm. The Army was also called in to ensure security.

A Station Master said that the wage issue had been simmering for a considerable period of time and the authorities had failed to address the matter despite many reminders.

"Trade union action was the only option left for the railway workers", he said.