Govt. in the process of selling SLR claims union
The JVP affiliated All Ceylon Railway Employees’ Common Services Union (ACRECSU) alleged that the government was gradually selling the Sri Lanka Railway to the international market.
ACRECSU General Secretary, Sumathipala Manawadu made these comments following the signing of the agreement by the government with an Indian company to develop the railway line from Galle to Matara.
The government last month leased out the southern coastal railway line from Galle to Matara to the Rights Company — an Indian rail construction company — to restore the remaining railway tracks damaged during the 2004 tsunami and to upgrade the railway signal system, according to Transport Ministry sources.
Manawadu told The Morning Leader that the government had not revealed the contents of the agreement so far, despite a request made to Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma.
Manawadu added that there was no need for assistance from international companies to repair or develop the existing railway lines.
“We had already written to the Minister to reveal the contents of the agreement. We look at this as a ploy to sell Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) gradually.
He said that the agreement was signed in July and added that they (ACRECSU) had written to the Minister as soon as they got to know of the agreement.
“There is no problem if new technology is used. But what we say is that the government has pawned the SLR and will then gradually sell it.”
He also stated that Sri Lanka had the necessary manpower and brainpower to develop the railway system.
“We repaired the railway lines after the tsunami. We did it in a lesser number of days than the days quoted by international companies. We can develop the tracks using the existing resources and technology,” Manawadu added.
He added that a decision on future action with regard to this issue would be taken after discussions with their trade union members.
“The Minister has still not got back to us with a response. We have not decided on what to do. We will decide on our future action after discussing the issue with the members of our trade union,” said Manawadu.
By Arthur Wamanan
Source: The Morning Leader
