Only 50 locomotives currently owned by the Sri Lanka Railways Department are operational, according to a departmental report.
The report states that although the department has 98 locomotives in its fleet, only around 50 are currently being used for operations.
It also notes that 74 locomotives are required to maintain railway services at normal capacity.
According to the report, 53 operational locomotives were available within the department in 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of power sets, mainly used for office train services, currently stands at 118. Although there are 242 power sets in the fleet, 193 are required to maintain services at normal levels.
In 2024, the department had 258 power sets in its fleet, of which 148 were deployed for operations.
Railway trade unions claim that the shortage of locomotives and power sets has resulted in the cancellation of numerous train services on a daily basis. They also say that train delays have increased due to defects in some locomotives and power sets.
Several trade unions have repeatedly informed the General Manager of Railways about the situation, but claim that no positive response has been received.
Against this backdrop, 27 railway trade unions are planning to launch a strike on September 17 over the continuing issues and what they describe as the General Manager’s lack of response.
The Sri Lanka Unprotected Railway Gatekeepers’ Membership Association has also announced that it will support the planned strike.
The association’s Secretary, Anil Kumara Navaratne, said discussions had been requested on several occasions to seek solutions to issues faced by its members, but the General Manager of Railways had not provided an opportunity for such discussions so far.
Accordingly, he said the association would also join the strike scheduled to begin on September 17.
Meanwhile, a discussion between representatives of the trade unions participating in the strike and the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport is scheduled to be held today (14).
The discussion is scheduled to take place at the Ministry of Transport at 3.30 p.m. today.
