Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama assures that train services will return to normal from this evening, as per an agreement reached with railway trade unions.

The unions have agreed to work according to routine operations until the differences and problems between train schedules and speed limits are resolved, he told reporters at a press conference in Colombo today.

Locomotive drivers have been engaged in work-to-rule action for several days resulting in the continuous delays of several trains. This has also created friction between train drivers and the everyday commuters, who were largely inconvenienced by the move.

However, discussion involving representatives of locomotive drivers, trade unions, the transport minister, the Transport Secretary and the Railways General Manager were held this morning.

The talks had proven successful as the train drivers had agreed end their work-to-rule campaign, which was launched in protest over the interdiction of four drivers due to twin train mishaps within a week at Potuhera and Aluthgama.

 Railway Engine Drivers Association general Secretary K. A.U. Konthasinghe, speaking at the press conference, stated that they have decided to temporarily suspend the work-to-rule action, placing trust on the Transport Minister’s intervention.