News
Unions fume at resurrected rail ‘authority’ idea
View(s):By Sohan Vipulananda
Railway unions are opposing a proposal to make the Railway Department into an authority as it had been done in 2003 when Ranil Wickremesinghe was Prime Minister.
Transport and Highways Minister, Bandula Gunawardane said last month discussions will start with officials to turn the railway into an authority.
But, railway trade unions have rejected the idea.
Railway Trade Union Alliance convenor, S.P. Vithanage told the Sunday Times, the union opposes the ‘authority’ proposal.
“The Government is trying to cover up losses by making the Railway Department an authority, but the losses will not end. Further, there is no new service they can provide even if it is turned into an authority,” Mr Vithanage said.
In 2003, Ranil Wickremesinghe, then prime minister, turned the Railway Department into an authority. The transport minister at the time was Thilak Marapana. Hema Manatunga was named chairman of the authority. Unions staged a massive strike in February against the proposal.
“If that system still existed, then there would not be a Railway Department but a railway business or a company,” Mr. Vithanage said. “It was good that it was changed to a department again by the Government in 2004.’’
He also emphasised that the Government of President Wickremesinghe is determined to fulfill IMF conditions to secure funds.
Sumedha Somaratne. president of the Railways Station Masters Union said the union does not favour the proposal. “The management system should be changed first before turning the railways into an authority.’’
He said that before the Covid-19 pandemic, 350 trains operated, but only 250 or fewer are running now.
Manura Peiris, secretary of the Sri Lanka Railway Guards Union, also rejected the proposal. “We do not know what the proposal is about and we have not been briefed yet.’’
The locomotive operating engineers union is also joining hands with the other trade unions to object to the idea.
The Locomotive Operating Engineers Union’s K.A.U. Konthasinghe told the Sunday Times, railways maintenance issues must be solved first.
The poor maintenance of tracks and signals are due to the economic collapse. Procurements have been disrupted, he said.
“We are hoping to meet the minister next week to take a decision in the regard,” Mr. Konthasinghe said. A committee will examine the idea.
The Govt. is trying to cover up losses by making the Railway Department an authority, unions charge. Pic by Eshan Fernando
When the Sunday Times asked Minister Gunawardane, he said that as an authority, the railway will be able to issue debentures and obtain long-term financing. At the moment, a Government department cannot issue debentures. He blamed the trade unions which had opposed the idea earlier.
“We are forming an expert committee, although we are not in a hurry,’’ he said. Tracks and signals have to be fixed first.
He said continuing losses mean “good services’’ could not be provided. Revenues have increased significantly after fares were increased, he noted.
He expects further improvements. “We do not have an automated system for tickets and railway traffic, but we look forward to bringing that very soon.’’
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