SLR tells businesses with unpaid rent to pay up or quit
The Sri Lanka Railways has finally decided to get tough with defaulting restaurants, milk stalls and pharmacy operators at railway stations and have given them an ultimatum, asking them to pay their rent or quit by May 31.
Operations Manager, Sri Lanka Railways Wijaya Samarasinghe said the department is losing about Rs. 5 million due to the failure of these businesses to pay their monthly rent on time. “More than 35 of the 70 such commercial ventures do not pay their rent while they collect a good income doing business at railway stations. The department not only provides them with the premises but electricity and water as well,” he said.
Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma’s immediate concern is not to be a burden to the Treasury. The department depended heavily on the Treasury in the past. It is in a position to stand on its own feet now with little or no help from the Treasury. Hence, the income generated from its own resources is very vital for the survival of Sri Lanka Railways,” Samarasinghe added.
All defaulting operators of trade establishments at railway stations have been asked to pay up their dues before May 31. All those who fail to abide by the instructions will be evicted, he said. The defaulters include big restaurants, pharmacies and milk stalls at major railway stations whose monthly turnover exceeds several millions of rupees, Samarasinghe said.
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Source: dailymirror
