Sri Lanka Railway Strike Halts Trains, Stranding Thousands

Union demands for filling vacancies and resolving administrative issues disrupt daily commutes across the country.

Tens of thousands of passengers faced overcrowded trains or were left stranded at stations.
The Station Masters’ Union initiated the strike, calling for the government to address staffing and administrative concerns.
Local TV footage showed people risking their lives to board dangerously packed trains.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena criticized the strike as arbitrary amid ongoing government efforts to resolve the issues.
Sri Lanka's train services have long suffered from poor maintenance and frequent strikes, exacerbating delays and safety concerns.