•  TUs want Railway GM removed, disciplinary letter withdrawn

A total of 27 trade unions (TUs) within the Railways Department are set to launch a 48-hour token strike on 17 and 18 September, demanding the removal of Railway General Manager (GM) Ravindra Pathmapriya and the withdrawal of a letter seeking an explanation from Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) General Secretary Kasun Chamara Jayasekara over comments made to the media on issues affecting railway services.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (13), Jayasekara said the TUs within the Department had not been given an opportunity to discuss their issues with the Railway GM.

"These TUs include those representing station masters, railway controllers, drivers, cabinmen, shunting staff, Ratmalana railway workshop employees and railway station staff. There are several issues within the Department that affect both employees and passengers. We have been calling on the GM to grant us a meeting to discuss these issues, but he doesn't do it."

He further said the TUs also objected to the GM's actions, which he claimed violated the rights of TU representatives guaranteed under the Constitution, the Establishments Code and the Trade Unions Ordinance.

"The GM has initiated disciplinary action against me as I spoke to the media about train delays, shortages of train engines and compartments, train cancellations, and the need to improve services for passengers. Speaking up when there are issues within the Department is our responsibility as TUs. If the GM doesn't want us to do it, who will be there to speak about them?"

Speaking further, Jayasekara said the TUs were therefore demanding the removal of the GM and the withdrawal of the letter issued to him.

"We are launching a two-day token strike on 17 and 18 September. We want the Government to appoint a new GM and address hundreds of issues within the Department. For the first time in history, even train passenger associations have expressed their support to our planned strike. We are also scheduled to meet the Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary on Monday (14). If the Government fails to listen to us and take proper action, we will soon launch a continuous strike."

When contacted by The Daily Morning last evening, Pathmapriya said each of the Department's nine sub-departments has its own chief engineers and senior officers responsible for overseeing operations in their respective areas, and that he does not intend to interfere in their technical work.

"There are chief engineers for each section of the Department. They have been assigned to look after the work of their respective sections. I am not going to interfere in those matters. For example, there is an engineer at the Ratmalana railway workshop. His responsibility is to repair the locomotives there and prepare them for service. My role as GM is to provide the necessary guidance to them."

He said it would not be possible for the GM to personally inspect railway tracks, stations and locomotives one by one.

"That is why a hierarchy is created in any institution. My responsibility also includes addressing administrative issues such as promotions and recruitment in coordination with the relevant sections, and I am in the process of looking into such issues and providing solutions."

Asked about the TUs' demand for his removal, he said such a decision should be taken by the Government.

"If they say I should be removed, I think the Government should decide that. The Cabinet that appointed me will decide that after looking at the work I have done since I joined the Department," he said.

He also responded to the dispute over the letter issued to Jayasekara over comments made to the media.

"I have not taken disciplinary action against the person concerned yet. What I have said is to give reasons for some of the statements he made. If they go around with that letter and gather the TUs and do this, there is nothing I can do about it. What I said is that very sensitive information in the Railway Department should not be given out. Saying that the Department will collapse tomorrow, that this many trains could stop running in the future, and frightening people is not appropriate. That is why this letter was issued. Now they demand that I withdraw the letter. But why should I withdraw it? I have not done anything wrong."