Privatisation in the offing charges OPPRRE
Trade unions affiliated to Sri Lanka Railways have charged that the leasing out of the southern coastal railway line to an Indian rail construction company on July 21 (Monday), was the first step toward the planned railway privatisation programme.
The government on Monday leased out the southern coastal railway line from Galle to Matara to Indian Right Company — an Indian rail construction company to restore the railway tracks damaged during the 2004 tsunami and to upgrade the railway signal system, according to Transport Ministry sources.
However, accusing the government of having a secret motive behind leasing the southern coastal line, Convener, Organisation for Protection of the Properties and Rights of Railway Employees (OPPRRE), Sumathipala Manawadu told The Morning Leader that the motive behind the pact was to privatise the railway department and not to upgrade the railway service.
“The government says more work has to be carried out to repair the damaged railway lines. When the tsunami hit the country it was the dedication and hard work of the railway employees that helped to restore the railway lines in less than 60 days. If the government claims that there is more restoration work to be carried out they could have got the services of local organisations instead of leasing it out to an Indian company, charged Manawadu.
According to Manawadu, the UPFA government soon after the tsunami devastated the railway tracks, wanted to get this same Indian company to restore the damaged railway lines but had to withdraw the proposal at that point in time due to vehement opposition by the railway employees.
“At the end it was the railway employees who restored the railway tracks and we now wonder whether the government has once again resorted to implementing its original plan,” queried Manawadu.
“The foundation stone would be laid on August 1 and we learn that the Matara- Galle railway line would be closed for traffic for six months and only the office trains from Galle- Fort would be in operation during the same period. This would completely hamper the functioning of the southern coastal railway,” Manawadu said.
According to Manawadu OPPRRE has requested Railway Minister Dulles Alahapperuma to reveal the clauses of the secret deal or face serious consequences.
All attempts by The Morning Leader to contact Transport Ministry Secretary, Tilak Collure and General Manager Railways, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, failed.
By Nirmala Kannangara
Source: The Morning Leader
Tags: coastal line, foundation stone, indian rail, ministry sources, point in time, privatisation, rail construction, railway department, railway employees, railway line, railway lines, railway service, railway signal, restoration work, secret motive, signal system, sri lanka railways, trade unions, vehement opposition
