Transport,Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that he had begun discussions to transform the Railway Department into a Railway Authority to provide the best possible benefits to commuters.
The Minister said the discussions held in this regard have been fruitful. He said the Railway Department would be converted after a careful study of the proposals and ideas of the Railway Department officials, trade unions and employees.
He assured that it will have no effect on any welfare schemes or benefits, or on workers’ pensions.
“The Railway Department will not be privatised,” said Dr. Gunawardena.
The Minister was addressing the media on Thursday following a meeting with the Railway Department’s managers, controllers, station masters, locomotive engineers and trade union representatives.