Railway unions decided to continue with their union action, irrespective of the action taken by the government. 

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam too held talks with the railways strikers to urge them to postpone the strike until the GCE O/Level examination starting tomorrow. 

The Minister said the students sitting for the exam will face immense hardships due to the railway strike. 

The unions, however, turned down the Minister's request saying they would not give up the strike until the government met their demands. 

At a special meeting held a short while ago, the railway unions decided to continue with the strike, disregarding the government's move to replace them with new workers.