President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday urged railway trade unions to have confidence in him and asked for two more months to resolve their salary issues. 

The President made this request when he had discussions with railway trade unions at the Presidential Secretariat last evening. 

Following the discussion with the President, the railway unions called off the strike scheduled for August 29. 

This was the second discussion the railway unions held with President Sirisena this month. At the previous meeting, the President promised the unions to resolve their salary issues immediately. 

However, the President could not deliver on this promise as Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera refused to give salary hike to any state sector employee until the national salaries commission presents its first report. 

The commission's report, according to government sources, is due in two months. 

Therefore, it is clear that the President has now bought time until the national salaries commission presents its report.