SRI LANKA’S government deployed army troops at railroad stations today as workers continued with their strike that paralysed train services across the country for a second day.

On Tuesday, two passengers were killed while attempting to travel on a packed train.

Passengers risked their lives to get to school and work on the few trains that were operating at the time, with some travelling on the roof of train compartments and others barely hanging on to the footboards.

One of those who died had hit his head on an overhead railway bridge while the other succumbed to injuries after he fell from the footboard.

The strike was launched by the Locomotive Operating Engineers Union (LOEU), which includes engine drivers.

They are demanding that authorities resolve several issues, including the recruitment process and promotions.

Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena condemned the strike, calling the LOEU a “terrorist organisation” and said the union was responsible for the two deaths.

LOEU activist SR Senanayake urged the government to take swift measures to provide solutions to the demands put forward by them, warning that the strike could continue.