Minister ruining railway alleges union
The government’s failure to look into the administrative and financial affairs in the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) over the past three years has resulted in an erosion of railway services, the All Ceylon Railway Employees’ General Union (ACREGU) told The Sunday Leader.
Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma for the past three years has not only neglected the railway service but has also worked towards the downfall of the SLR alleged the ACREGU
Meanwhile Secretary, ACREGU, Sumathipala Manawadu said that unless President Mahinda Rajapakse removes Alahapperuma and appoints a new minister to help revive the SLR, the combined railway trade unions will be forced to take trade union action to urge the government to make a suitable replacement immediately.
“When Minister Alahapperuma was appointed as Transport Minister there was a ray of hope as the railway employees believed that he would be able to uplift the railway service. But we have now realised that Alahapperuma has taken over the post for some other reason,” alleged Manawadu.
According to Manawadu the present Transport Minister has done nothing to uplift the railway but was quick to draw up plans to privatise the SLR.
“The renovation of the Galle-Matara railway line was given to an Indian company last year amidst strong opposition and now plans are afoot to hand over the public waiting rooms at the Kandy Railway Station to the Hilton Hotel which too would be another step in the privatisation programme. Other than accepting railway carriages from China, which too was ordered by the previous transport minister, Alahapperuma has not contributed in any way to upgrade the services of SLR. Instead he has worked as a Presidential Advisor. How can Alahapperuma advice the President on matters pertaining to the country when he has even failed to look after the railway employees and property,” queried Manawadu.
According to Manawadu the present railway administration is the worst administration the SLR has had over the past 143 years. “Steps have been taken by ACREGU to urge the government to appoint a new minister and general manager for the SLR, failing which action would be taken to bring the country’s railway service to a complete standstill,” Manawadu said.
By Nirmala Kannangara
Source: The Morning Leader
