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| Sunday, 27 July 2003 |
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Railway TUs issue ultimatum to Govt. by DEEPAL WARNAKULASURIYA Several trade unions of the Ceylon Railways Department which was converted into an Authority, have threatened trade union action if the gazette notification to that effect is not withdrawn by July 30. A spokesman for the Trade Unions United Front said that they were not against the Railways being converted into an Authority, but wanted to ensure how it was going to be implemented. The spokesman said that they had requested for a meeting with the Transport Minister and warned of possible trade union action if it was not granted. The Secretary to the Inter-Societies Employees' Union, S. Amarasinghe, said that they were totally against the government action and their next step would be decided at the Central Committee meeting due to be held this morning. The All Ceylon Railway Employees' General Union which staged a picketing campaign in front of the Maradana railway station on Wednesday, demanded that the Authority Act be cancelled. They denied having any meeting with the Minister and urged the government to withdraw the gazette notification before July 30. The Sri Lanka Railways Authority (SLRA) vested with wide powers of decision and policy making on upgrading the country's railway sector was implemented on July 23, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Railways Act passed in 1983. The Railways Department, with its movable and immovable properties and the functions, will come under the new authority comprising a Chairman with a six-member Board of Directors. P.H. Manatunga, Chairman of Railways Management Council has been appointed as Chairman of the Authority by the Transport Minister. The other members of the board will be appointed from suitable institutes like the Treasury and the Ministry, while the functions of the General Manager of Railways (GMR) will be taken over by a managing director appointed by the members of the Authority. Employees of the Railways Department have been given the option of either carrying on their jobs with the new Authority or continuing as Department employees performing functions assigned to them by the Authority. Transport Minister Thilak Marapana has pledged that no retrenchment will take place but has offered employees who have completed 10 years in the Railways, the option of early retirement with a pension. Employees with 8 to 10 years of service can also apply for retirement after completing 10 years service. However, according to Ministry sources, all employees have been advised to notify their choice by September 01. Minister Marapana, who has described the functions of the Authority as "decision making" has said that the formation of the Authority is the first step to upgrade the railway service which is currently running at a loss. |
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