The Railway Department currently has only 50 operational locomotives, according to a report issued by the department.

The report reveals that although the department has a total of 98 locomotives in its fleet, only around 50 are currently being used for operations.

It further states that 74 locomotives are required to maintain railway services under normal conditions.

Meanwhile, the department had 53 operational locomotives in 2024, according to the report.

The report also reveals that of the Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), which are mainly used for office train services, only 118 currently stands at operational level, although the department has 242 DMUs in its fleet.

However, 193 are required to maintain services under normal conditions.

In 2024, the department had 258 DMUs in its fleet, of which 148 were deployed for operations.

Meanwhile, railway trade unions claim that the shortage of locomotives and DMUs has resulted in numerous train services being cancelled daily.

They further claim that delays have also increased due to technical faults in some locomotives and DMUs.

Several railway trade unions have repeatedly informed the General Manager of Railways about the situation, but claim that he has failed to provide a positive response.

Against this backdrop, 27 railway trade unions are planning to launch a strike on September 17, citing the continuing issues within the Railway Department and what they describe as the General Manager's failure to address their concerns.

Meanwhile, the Unprotected Railway Crossing Gatekeepers' Association says it will also support the strike scheduled to commence on September 17, 2026.

Its Secretary, Anil Kumara Navaratne, said the association had requested discussions on several occasions to seek solutions to the issues faced by its members, but the General Manager of Railways had not provided an opportunity for such discussions.

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 planned 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.