A protest march organized by the Northern province Rail gate operators’ union reached Colombo earlier today (30), seeking an audience with President Maithripala Sirisena to voice their anguish on the ambiguity of their profession.  

Speaking to the media, the President of the Northern province Rail gate operators’ Union Rohan Rajkumar stated that, the protest was organized for the 2368 rail gate operators, who were severely overlooked by government officials for more than 4 years. 

He stated that rail gate operators put their lives in danger every day, to safeguard the children and the people of the nation for a meager Rs.250. It was further reported that several attempts were made by the union to establish a department for their welfare as there was no government official that was answerable to them to voice their concerns. 

Rohan Rajkumar also stated that a protest march was organized on August 25 from Vavuniya with the participation of several rail gate operators. He mentioned that the union journeyed to Colombo on foot with limited food and shelter to meet with President Maithripala Sirisena. 

It was reported that the union requested an audience with the President to voice their concerns and formulate a suitable solution.